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by Gideon Welles

March 31. For a fortnight I have been ill and really unfit for duty, yet have been absent from the Department but a single day, the only day I have lost in Washington since March 4, 1861. But for the illness of Mr. Faxon, Chief Clerk, I should have abstained a day or two from labor. Fatigued and exhausted, I have not felt able to jot down current events from day to day.

With some effort, though with indifferent health, I have drawn up a communication to Mr. Seward on the subject of letters of marque. But after the council to-day he read a dispatch from Mr. Adams, communicating two letters from Earl Russell, which are insolent, contemptuous, and mean aggression if not war. It is pretty evident that a devastating and villainous war is to be waged on our commerce by English capital and English men under the Rebel flag with the connivance of the English Government, which will, and is intended to, sweep our commerce from the ocean. Only by a decided, firm, and resolute tone can the country be rescued, and I am by no means certain that will be sufficient. We are in no condition for a foreign war. Torn by dissensions, an exhausting civil war on our hands, we have a gloomy prospect, but a righteous cause that will ultimately succeed. God alone knows through what trials, darkness, and suffering we are to pass. There is a disinclination to look these troubles which threaten us boldly in the face. I felt oppressed, as did the others. A long vista of direful calamities opens before us. Mr. Seward is earnest to get out privateers to catch the Alabama and the blockade-runners. The President thinks they should try that policy. Chase has lately favored it. I have no faith in it as against the Rebels, who have no commerce to be injured, but if we are to have a conflict with England, letters of marque and every means in our power must be put in requisition against that faithless nation. I have, therefore, doubts about sending the letter which I have prepared.

Earl Russell gives us to understand the English Government do not intend to interpose to prevent the Rebels from building, buying, and sending out from England cruisers, semi-pirates, to prey upon our commerce. In plain language, English capital is to be employed in destroying our shipping interests. If we are silent and submissive, they will succeed, and we shall waken to our condition when our vessels and merchant seamen are gone.

The condition of affairs opens a vast field. Should a commercial war commence, it will affect the whole world. The police of the seas will be Read more

March 30, 1863, The New York Herald

A despatch from Fortress Monroe states that the rebels, with a force of infantry and cavalry, yesterday morning attacked Williamsburg and were repulsed by the Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry under Colonel Lewis. The loss is not reported. It was stated by an officer who came into Norfolk yesterday from the rebel army, that the troops are evacuating Richmond as rapidly and as quietly as they can; but not much credit is attached to the report.

The rebels made another attack a few days ago on Winfield, N.C., on the Chowan river. They were met by a small body of the North Carolina Volunteers, under Lieutenant McClane, who defended themselves bravely in a blockhouse for an hour and a half, and drove the rebels off. General Foster came up from Plymouth with three companies, and four companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry were sent from Suffolk by General Peck. Colonel Brown succeeded in crossing the Chowan river with part of his force. The remainder were attacked near Edenton, and dispersed after a short resistance. Our troops are hunting the enemy up in the swamps.

With regard to matters in the West, we learn that two divisions of rebel infantry crossed the Cumberland on Friday, at Stagg’s ferry, near Wailsburg, Pulaski county. Frankfort and Lexington have been placed under martial law.

We are informed on the authority of Parson Brownlow, who has just arrived at Cincinnati from Tennessee, that the rebels are concentrating all their infantry, who were formerly in East Tennessee, at Tullahoma; that reinforcements from Virginia are coming up, and that their cavalry are making a diversion into the eastern part of Kentucky, with the intention of Read more

March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(The following despatch gives some further details of the intelligence published in our issue of last Thursday morning.)

VICKSBURG, March 25. — At five o’clock this morning four Yankee gunboats were seen advancing towards our upper batteries. A vigorous fire was opened upon them, driving two of them back. The other two passed under a concentrated fire, almost every shot taking effect. One of the boats received a shot in her steam chest, compelling her crew to abandon her. In fifteen minutes she filled and sank. Part of the crew escaped to the opposite shore. The boat that succeeded in getting past our batteries is supposed to be the Benton. She was badly crippled. One of our shots penetrated her steam drum, disabling her, so that the Albatross had to come up from below to tow her out of danger of our gunboats.

(Official Despatch)

JACKSON, MARCH 25. — To General S. Cooper, Adjutant General: The following telegram was received this morning from General STEVENSON: ‘Four boats came to the turn at sunrise; two attempted to pass; one was sunk with all on board, the other lies at the mouth of the canal apparently disabled. (Signed)J.C. PEMBERTON,

‘Lieutenant General Commanding.’

March 30, 1863, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Texas)

            It is thought by some that goods are lower in this city than they have been.  We cannot see it in making purchases.  Some lots of inferior unseasonable and damaged goods have been sold at a low figure, but damaged goods are not the market by any means.  There is a good supply of merchandize in Houston now, some of it being old Galveston stocks that have been boxed up ever since the war began till now, and other having been brought from Mexico.  Goods may be lower than they have been, but we will guarantee that whoever buys them will not do it because they are cheap, for the present at least.  And we can assure owners of goods at Matamoros that they can find no better market in Texas to consign them to than Houston.  There is plenty of demand for all that will come and at tremendous profits.  When flax thread is $18 per lb., imperials $1.75@$2.00 per yard, printing paper $50 per ream, linseed oil $20 per gallon, and alcohol $30, and everything else in proportion, there is nothing to be lost in bringing them to this market.

by John Beauchamp Jones

MARCH 29TH.—No news. Yet a universal expectation. What is expected is not clearly defined. Those who are making money rapidly no doubt desire a prolongation of the war, irrespective of political consequences. But the people, the majority in the United States, seem to have lost their power. And their representatives in Congress are completely subordinated by the Executive, and rendered subservient to his will. President Lincoln can have any measure adopted or any measure defeated, at pleasure. Such is the irresistible power of enormous executive patronage. He may extend the sessions or terminate them, and so, all power, for the time being, reposes in the hands of the President.

A day of reckoning will come, for the people of the United States will resume the powers of which the war has temporarily dispossessed them, or else there will be disruptions, and civil war will submerge the earth in blood. The time has not arrived, or else the right men have not arisen, for the establishment of despotisms.

Everything depends upon the issues of the present campaign, and upon them it may be bootless to speculate. No one may foretell the fortunes of war—I mean where victory will ultimately perch in this frightful struggle. We are environed and invaded by not less than 600,000 men in arms, and we have not in the field more than 250,000 to oppose them. But we have the advantage of occupying the interior position, always affording superior facilities for concentration. Besides, our men must prevail in combat, or lose their property, country, freedom, everything,—at least this is their conviction. On the other hand, the enemy, in yielding the contest, may retire into their own country, and possess everything they enjoyed before the war began. Hence it may be confidently believed that in all the battles of this spring, when the numbers are nearly equal, the Confederates will be the victors, and even when the enemy have superior numbers, the armies of the South will fight with Roman desperation. The conflict will be appalling and sanguinary beyond example, provided the invader stand up to it. That much is certain. And if our armies are overthrown, we may be no nearer peace than before. The paper money would be valueless, and the large fortunes accumulated by the speculators, turning to dust and ashes on their lips, might engender a new exasperation, resulting in a regenerated patriotism and a universal determination to achieve independence or die in the attempt.

March 29, 1863, The New York Herald

By the arrival of the Anglo-rebel prize steamer Peterhoff at this port from Port Royal yesterday, we have the important information that on the 23d inst. all the Union troops at that point were embarked on a number of transports — their destination, of course, not being made public. The Union iron-clads had left Port Royal the previous day, and the Peterhoff while on her way, abut eighteen miles off Charleston, at night, saw the flashes of guns and shells bursting in that vicinity. These demonstrations probably were made by the iron-clads reconnoitering and securing a position to protect the landing of the troops, which were following in the transports. Our news from Charleston via Richmond is to the 25th, and does not mention any attack as taking place on Charleston at that date. That it cannot be far distant, however, is now morally certain.

We have some exciting news from the Southwest. Despatches from Cairo yesterday state that our forces are within one and a quarter miles of Haines’ Bluff, on the Yazoo, and have landed at Eagle Bend. A despatch from Vicksburg says that two of our gunboats attempted to pass down the river on the morning of the 25th, and that one of them was sunk and the other badly damaged by the fire of the rebel batteries. The same intelligence reached Richmond from rebel official sources at Jackson, Miss. A despatch from Mobile says that three of our gunboats were destroyed by the rebel batteries at the junction of the Sunflower river and Deep Creek, and the balance driven back, on Saturday last.

From Kansas City we learn that the steamer Sam Getty, while passing Sibley’s landing, on her way from Independence, was boarded by a force of guerillas, who killed five infantry soldiers, fifty cavalry and twenty negroes, and robbed all the passengers of their property, at the same time throwing overboard one hundred sacks of flour and a number of government wagons.

Several paymasters arrived at Fortress Monroe yesterday with money to pay off our troops at Suffolk, Norfolk, and Read more

March 29, 1863, Mobile Register And Advertiser

            (From the Rebel.)

A is for Anderson, foremost and least,

B is for Bethel, or Butler the Beast;

C is for Chase, and also for Cheat;

D is for Darkies, Disaster, Defeat;

E is for Eagle, transformed to a crow; Read more

March 29, 1863, The New York Herald

That there is, both at home and abroad, a healthy revival of public confidence in the stability of our government and the success of our efforts to crush the rebellion, must be evident even to those least observant of popular sentiment. We have had no great victories lately, and have, on the contrary, been subjected to numerous trifling but annoying reverses and delays; but still the revival of confidence is an acknowledged fact, and its cause must be found in a better appreciation of the power and resources of the American people, both on our own part and on the part of Europeans. We now begin to understand us. How this result has been achieved we shall not at present consider; but its influence upon our finances is a matter of the utmost importance and the sincerest congratulation.

Hitherto we have neither asked nor received any financial aid from Europe. The press of Europe has repeatedly warned capitalists not to invest in American securities. Now, however, we find all kinds of projects on foot among foreign bankers for the purchase of large quantities of our stocks, and by every steamer come orders from individuals in Europe to agents here to invest freely in United States bonds. This foreign demand for our securities has caused an average advance of seven per cent; and already foreign capitalists are calling upon us to offer a loan. At home the financial prospect is still brighter. The conversions of legal tender notes into five-twenty bonds, so long and so foolishly neglected, are now remarkably active. The subscription agent announces that one million two hundred thousand dollars were thus converted on Tuesday, two millions of dollars during the last two days, and five millions within the past ten days. These conversions will probably average over five hundred thousand dollars a day during the short time longer that they will be permitted. Assistant Treasurer Cisco is receiving money on deposit at five per cent interest. On Friday last he received a Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

MARCH 28TH.—We have nothing additional or confirmatory from the West. A letter from Gen. Beauregard states that he has but 17,000 men in South Carolina, and 10,000 in Georgia, 27,000 in all. He asks more, as he will be assailed, probably, by 100,000 Federals. The President refers this important letter to the Secretary of War, simply with the indorsement, “this is an exact statement of affairs in South Carolina and Georgia.”

Col. Lay predicts that we shall be beaten in thirty days, or else we shall then be in the way of beating the enemy. A safe prediction—but what is his belief? This deponent saith not. There will be fearful odds against us, and yet our men in the field fear nothing.

We are sending Napoleons up to Lee. But the weather, which has been fine for the last two days, is wet again. If Hooker makes a premature advance, he will be sure to “march back again.”

An amusing letter was received from an officer Tennessee to-day. He was taken prisoner by seven Federals when straying some distance from camp, and subsequently hearing the men express some anxiety to be at home again with their families, gave them some brandy which he happened to possess. He then suggested a plan by which they might return to their homes, viz., to become his prisoners, and being paroled by him. After consultation, they agreed to it, and released him. He then paroled them, giving them the usual certificates to exhibit to their officer, and so, taking another drink, they pursued their different ways. If this disposition prevails extensively among the Western Federals, we may look for speedy results in that quarter. Rosecrans may lose his laurels in a most unexpected manner.

March 28, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

            Col. Stanley Matthews, who has been designated by Gen. Rosecrans to carry out the provisions of the order relative to the removal South of the Federal lines of disloyal persons and those whose natural supporters are in the Rebel service, is in the city, and we heard last night that a number of citizens have been notified in accordance with that order, to hold themselves in readiness to go South.

March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald

Brownsville, March 11th, 1863

            Eds. Herald:—In this far off place, we, of San Antonio, always welcome the Herald with delight, not solely for the news it contains, but principally to glean from the local items, something that is transpiring in our beloved city.  The advertisements even are conned over with interest, and when at length we have read and re-read, the paper is reluctantly thrown aside with a sigh.

            Three days ago a Yankee gunboat made her appearance at the mouth of the river and landed some officers and men on the Mexican side.  The officers were rigged out in the Cavalry uniform of the Federal army.  Immediately rumors of all sorts were spread through Brownsville and Matamoras, one was that the vessel in question was the “avant courier” of seven others, with 2400 men on board, the object of the expedition being a descent on Brownsville.  The truth of the matter is, that the vessel brought no less a personage than Judge Davis of Corpus Christi, now a Colonel in the abolition service.  He was accompanied by Major Somebody (who used to be a preacher in Austin,) Lieut. Daniel Bonnet (another renegade from Austin,) and three other subaltern officers, two of whom are also refugees from this State.  On yesterday they were all in Matamoras cutting a great swell.  I have just learned that one of the subaltern officers mentioned above is Branbach, once the Sheriff of Gillespie county, who escaped from the guard house in San Antonio, last summer.  Their intentions in coming to Matamoras are not positively known; but they are offering inducements for our men to desert.  They have partially succeeded, as some ten or twelve of the 3d Reg’t. have deserted in the last two days.  A Lieut. in the same Reg’t. has also deserted; his name is Holtz, and used to live in New Braunfels.  Judge Davis has come to a bad place for his health, for if he should fall into the hands of any of our soldiers, they would hang him on the first tree.  Several amusing things occurred in Matamoras between the renegades and some of the Texans over the river.  The parson Read more

March 28, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Helena Correspondence.

HELENA, Ark., March 25, 1863.

The despatch steamer Wenona has just arrived from General Ross’ headquarters on the Tallahatchie river, near Fort Greenwood (or Fort Pemberton, as the rebels at first designated the place), having left there on the morning of Thursday, the 19th inst. She brings important despatches, and also some interesting news gathered on the trip. The substance of her news, relating to the operations and prospects of the expedition, is doubtless given in the letters of your special expeditionary correspondent, which were brought up the Wenona. Everything was quiet at Fort Greenwood when the Wenona left, and the prospects were that nothing further would be done at present in that direction. Our army occupies good camping ground at Shell Mound Place, on the plantation of Dr. Curtis, two and a half miles above the rebel fortifications, and would probably remain there until reinforcements and supplies should reach them to enable them to resume the offensive. There is no danger of their being attacked, as the same obstacles that exist to prevent their operating against the enemy will prevent the enemy from operating against them.

Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, the engineer of the expedition, has devised a scheme which may result in the capture of the rebel position without another struggle. The scheme was submitted to General Ross, and approved by him, and forwarded to General Prentiss, commanding at this post, who has at once set it in progress. The scheme is simply to drown the rebels out by letting a vast body of water into the Yazoo Pass, and thus swell the Coldwater and Tallahatchie rivers so as to overflow all the lands in the bottoms. The fall of water through the pass is now about eight feet, that is, the Mississippi river is eight feet higher at the head of the Pass than the Coldwater river at the foot of the Pass. The water now flows through the Pass with such violence that it is almost impossible for an ordinary steamboat to stem the current. Read more

March 28, 1863, Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, Mississippi)

            A gentleman who for many years was engaged in manufacturing cotton yarn and cloth in this State, has furnished us with the following estimate of the cost:

            When cotton was selling at eight cents per pound, the cost of manufacturing a five pound bunch of cotton thread, including the raw material, was about seventy cents, and including labor, wearing of machinery, etc.  Then, the usual selling price was ninety cents a bunch paying a profit of about thirty per cent. nett to the manufacturer.  Suppose the raw cotton is at this time worth sixteen cents a pound, (most of the manufacturers had already laid in more than six months supply at half that price) and the cost of manufacturing to be double former expenses, (which is not true); but at double rates for material, labor, etc. the nett cost of producing five pounds of yarn will not exceed $1.40 at the outside.  Add seventy five per cent to this which is allowed by the conscription law ($1.05, a very large profit on one bunch of yarn) and the selling price will be $2.45 per bunch.

            The same rule will apply to cotton cloths, and restrain the manufacturer’s price to a trifle less than twenty-five cents per yard.—Iredell Express.

March 28, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

            There is terrible destitution among the sufferers from the bombardment of Fredericksburg.  A correspondent of the Richmond Examiner writes that the despoiled population numbers about six thousand.  Of these, about one-fourth are destitute.  This proportion has been fed by charity for about twelve weeks.  The contributions, in the aggregate, were $200,000, and this sum is rapidly being exhausted.  Families recently in the enjoyment of wealth are now beggars, living in negro cabins, and wandering about the country in search of food.

March 28, 1863, The New York Herald

The latest news from Vicksburg and Yazoo expeditions reaches us from Cairo last night. It appears that on last Saturday night another barge, containing one thousand bushels of coal, floated past the batteries at Vicksburg safely, for the use of Admiral Farragut’s fleet.

We have it on the authority of the Memphis Bulletin of Wednesday, that three of Admiral Porter’s gunboats have reached the Yazoo river by the Sunflower route and reached Greenwood.

The same journal says that our forces above Greenwood had abandoned the undertaking to force a passage, and were returning, when they met General Quimby’s division en route to reinforce them. A conference was had, the result of which is unknown, but it is thought that in consequence of the success of the new route the whole force would return.

The rebel accounts of affairs in the Southwest conflict somewhat with ours. Richmond papers of the 26th say that the Hartford and Monongahela were allowed to approach within four hundred yards of the rebel batteries at Grand Gulf, when they opened fire upon them, the vessels replying with broadsides several times. A dozen shots struck the vessels. Parties were seen carrying the wounded below. The Natchez Courier says the Hartford, with Admiral Farragut on board, anchored in front of that city on Tuesday afternoon, the 16th, and sent a small boat with a flag of truce ashore, with a note addressed to the Mayor, stating that if the United States gunboats were fired upon by the people of Natchez or by guerillas he would bombard the city. The Hartford remained all night and left with the Monongahela in the morning.

The Richmond Sentinel of the 24th, in giving their account of the situation in the Southwest, says: — “The last papers from the United states are jubilant over false reports of the success of the Yazoo expedition. Our own reports are several days later than theirs, and represent the expedition as thoroughly whipped, and in full retreat by the way they came. Thus far the enemy has utterly failed in every one of his late moves. Farragut was whipped at Port Hudson; Banks broke Read more

March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald

            The affair at the mouth of the Rio Grande was highly brilliant, glorious, and gratifying, and adds another bright chaplet to the brows of our Texas boys—we mean the capturing of those notorious traitors and renegades Judge E. J. Davis, (now a Federal Colonel) and the equally traitorous Montgomery, late of Lockhart, who immediately “went up a tree.”  What a great pity Davis had not been sent up at the same time.  The particulars will be found in another column.

            We learn that Davis has since been surrendered on demand of the Mexican authorities.

March 28, 1863, San Antonio Herald

(Extract from a private letter.)

Brownsville, March 17th, 1863.

            Exciting occurrences have transpired here in the last day or two.  Judge Davis now Col. Davis, and the notorious Montgomery (Major) of Lockhart, were over in Matamoras, last week; they enticed away many of our Regiment, who for $50 went over and swore into the Northern army.  Last Friday the above named renegade officers left Matamoras with about 120 renegades and deserters, to embark on a Yankee steamer at the mouth, which was there to take them to New Orleans.  A party of Confederates went down at the same time on this side of the river, to watch their operations.  On Friday and Saturday the sea was so rough that they could not go out to their steamer.  On Sunday morning at day-break the Confederate boys crossed over to the Mexican side and took Davis and Montgomery prisoners, and killed and captured about a dozen of the deserters.  Two men on our side were wounded.  Col. Davis was sent prisoner to this place, and Montgomery went up a tree on the end of a rope.  He was a wealthy man, and has a family in Lockhart.  The Mexicans were very angry at our having violated the sacred neutrality of their soil.  Yesterday their blood went up to 100 degrees on the subject, but in a day or two it will be down below zero.  Last night at about 11 o’clock the whole Regiment was called to arms, it being reported that the Mexicans were about to cross over.  The men were under arms nearly all night.  They have cooled down considerably on the other side to-day, and I believe everything will go on as smoothly as ever.  Davis has been sent into the interior.  He looked “awfully” down hearted when I saw him.

March 28, 1863, The New York Herald

To form a correct idea of the affairs of Texas, particularly of that portion of the State bordering on the Mexican frontier, and from which it is divided by the Rio Grande, it is necessary to take into account the geographical nature of either portion of the two countries bordering on that river and the feelings of the people with regard to the rebellion of the Southern States. The two nearest adjoining States of Mexico to Texas on the lower Rio Grande are Tamaulipas and New Leon and Coahuila — the latter being a State formed a few years since by the consolidation of the two States whose joint names it bears. These two States are by far the most powerful in population and wealth of any in that portion of Mexico. Confronting them for many miles there are, on the Texas side of the river, but three military posts. These are Fort Brown, Ringgold Barracks and Fort Duncan. These are old United States forts, and the only posts ever permanently occupied by our troops at any time. After the withdrawal of our forces, through the treason and treachery of Gen. Twiggs, the State rebels took possession of these forts. Fort Brown, the nearest to the mouth of the Rio Grande, was subsequently (in July, 1862) abandoned by the rebels for political reasons, which will be hereafter explained. At the time of their withdrawal they dismantled the fort, seized upon the Mexican steamboats then on the river, in defiance of the protest of Colonel Quiroga, Mexican commandant at Matamoros, and by this means conveyed the heavy guns from Fort Brown to Ringgold Barracks, higher up the river. Since that time the fort has never been occupied by military force, although it commands the two important towns of Brownsville and Matamoros, on either side of the river, being but a half mile distant from the former, and even less than that from the latter, and its defences are fast becoming worthless. The rebels have now concentrated a small force at Ringgold Barracks, not far from Rio Grand City. In the month of June last some few guns that had not been removed from Fort Brown were lying in an unserviceable condition. The bombproofs were in bad order, and there was not a solitary sentinel to be seen in the fort. It was formerly considered an important post, and its means of defence were considerable. It was surrounded by a wide ditch, a broad glacis, with breastworks and had bombproofs inside. About a year ago one of our informants started a covey of quails on the parade ground, near the bombproofs. The other military posts, though dignified by the high sounding titles of forts, possess little claim to be considered as such. They are neither defended by raised earthworks, ditch nor fosse. The ground so designated is merely surrounded by a picket fence, enclosing the shanties of the officers and soldiers. Last summer the Read more

March 28, 1863, The New York Herald

It is currently reported that President Lincoln will visit New York shortly. We hope that this report is well founded. The President has had very hard work at Washington with the hordes of office seekers, and contractors, and Congressmen, and other such troublesome fellows, and really needs relaxation. Let him come on, then, and bring Mrs. Lincoln and Secretary Seward along with him. Secretaries Chase and Welles have just been here, and were received and treated accordingly to their deserts. Consequently they need not come again at present. Secretary Stanton had better be left behind; for if he is caught outside of Washington he will probably be arrested, indicted and sent to prison. There are warrants issued against him already, we understand. The other Secretaries are of no importance, and might as well remain where they are and attend to their departments. The President, Mrs. Lincoln and Mr. Seward will meet with a splendid reception in New York, and will undoubtedly enjoy themselves wonderfully.

It is no joke to be President during such a crisis as this, and Mr. Lincoln must feel that he requires amusement. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” says the ancient proverb. Mrs. Lincoln has labored quite as well in her graceful, benevolent womanly way as Mr. Lincoln has in his, and a change of scene and society will reinvigorate her. Secretary Seward is the hardest worker in the Cabinet, and the most successful, and the President should give him a holiday. We know how wearisome it is to be perpetually writing, and Secretary Seward’s diplomatic correspondence alone is enough to overfatigue any ordinary man. Fortunately New York is now just in the proper trim to entertain her distinguished guests, and to surpass the displays in London in honor of the marriage of the Prince of Wales. The bright sun of spring beautifies everything with its radiance. The pure air, fresh from the sea, will be most refreshing to lungs clogged with the miasmas of the Washington swamps. The Central Park is beginning to develop its charms, and its drives are most delightful. Wind and weather permitting, a fete champetre could perhaps be arranged for the President’s party by the residents of Washington Heights. There has never been a gayer winter in New York, and our fashionable openings are just taking place, and Mrs. Lincoln can delight herself with bonnets and robes of Parisian elegance and taste, while the Read more

March 28, 1863, Nashville Dispatch

            The market is rather poorly supplied with vegetables, while prices of almost every article are very high.  Sweet potatoes are selling at the rate of five dollars, Irish at three to four dollars, and turnip greens at two dollars per bushel.  Fish and poultry of all descriptions are very scarce.  Chickens sold in market yesterday at seventy-five cents a piece.

by John Beauchamp Jones

 MARCH 27TH.—This is the day appointed by the President for fasting and prayers. Fasting in the midst of famine! May God save this people! The day will be observed throughout the Confederacy.

The news from the West, destruction of more of the enemy’s gun-boats, seems authentic. So far we have sustained no disasters this spring, the usual season of success of the enemy by water.

Mr. G. W. Randolph was the counsel of the speculators whose flour was impressed, and yet this man, when Secretary of War, ordered similar impressments repeatedly. “Oh, man! dressed in a little brief authority,” etc.

Mr. Foote has brought forward a bill to prevent trading with the enemy. Col. Lay even gets his pipes from the enemy’s country. Let Mr. Foote smoke that 1

A gentleman Said, to-day, if the Yankees only knew it, they might derive all the benefits they seek by the impracticable scheme of subjugation, without the expenditure of human life, by simply redoubling the blockade of our ports, withdrawing their armies to the borders, and facilitating trade between the sections. We would not attack them in their own country, and in a month millions of their products would be pouring into the South, and cotton, tobacco, etc. would go to the North in vast quantities. I wonder the smart Yankee never thinks of this! Let both sides give passports freely, and an unlimited intercourse would be immediately established.

March 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

It is understood that Mr. DEBOW, the Confederate States Agent, has negotiated the purchase of between one hundred and fifty and one hundred and seventy-five thousand bales of cotton in Louisiana and Mississippi, at an average of about 12 cents. This is one-half of the late purchases of the Government in this cotton district. Four-fifths of this cotton, it may be fairly assumed, will be saved and materially strengthen our bonds in Europe. A large foreign credit is already predicated upon it, and the tangible results will soon be felt by the army and the navy. Agents are authorized to pay the market value of the cotton, which is ascertained by reference to what private parties are willing to pay.

March 27, 1863, American Citizen (Canton, Mississippi)

            Impelled thereto by business engagements, we last week made a short visit to Vicksburg, taking in our route Calhoun, Madison, Tagaloo, Shotwell’s tank, Jackson, Clinton, Bolton’s, Edward’s, Bovina, “and all intermediate landings.”  From the route we took, as indicated by the above names, it will be reasonably inferred that we traveled “by rail.”  Such was certainly our intention, but in it we failed.  “The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee.”

            In our peregrinations we saw but little that was interesting or noteworthy, consequently we took no “notes,” though we did take “note of time,” as TIME—however much “tempus“  may “fugit,” was not a fast fugitive to us, but rather hung heavily upon our hands while away from “the young folks at home.”  In former times—before grim war’s dreadful alarums resounded throughout the land—it was a pleasure and a benefit to any man to take a short respite and recreation from business in a trip to the “Hill City,” or the “Crescent City;” but now, in these times of “war and pestilence and famine,” the very worst punishment that could be inflicted upon a man would be to compel him to leave home and travel on railroads and take lodgings and meal-s at the hotels.

            The first feature that presents itself to the mind of the wayfaring man is, the great number of soldiers that are continually “going to and fro, up and down in the earth,” crowding all the cars on all the railroads;—the next is, the vast number of soldiers—officers, especially,—that are found at all the railroad depots of any note, and in all the towns along the lines of railroads.  At Jackson we tarried a day.  The city was alive with soldiers, and it seemed to us that every third man we met was an officer, had on shoulder straps, or a “spangle” of some sort to indicate that the wearer was something more than a “common soldier.”  The inquiry naturally arises, What are all these officers and soldiers doing out of camps?  Why are they not with their regiments, on duty, in active service?  There were, it seemed to us, a sufficient number of officers and men walking about the streets of Jackson to form a full regiment.  How it is that so many men, able-bodied and healthy, are enabled to shirk their duty and keep out of the service, passeth our comprehension.  While thousands Read more

March 27, 1863, Southern Banner (Athens, Georgia)

Persons indebted to the Southern Banner office, from one dollar up to one hundred, can now discharge their indebtedness in clean cotton or linen rags, at five cents per pound, delivered at this office. This is a fair proposition, and we hope every body will avail themselves of it.

We will also pay the same amount in cash for rags delivered at this office.

March 27, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

            The Democracy of Pekin Township assembled in large numbers at the Court House in the city of Pekin, on Saturday evening last; and organized by calling J. McDonald to the chair and appointing H. P. Finnigan Secretary.

            After the nomination of a town ticket, and the transaction of other business the following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted.

            Whereas, the Union has no existence separate from the Federal Constitution, but being created solely by that instrument, it can only exist by virtue thereof; and when the provisions of that Constitution are suspended either in time of war or in peace, whether by the North or the South, it is alike disunion; Therefore

            Resolved, That the acts of the federal administration in suspending the writ of habeas corpus; the arrest of citizens not subject to military law, without warrant or authority, transporting them to foreign States, incarcerating them without charge or accusation, denying them the right of trial by jury, prescribing, in many cases, arbitrary; illegal test oaths on their discharge, and finally attempting to indemnify those responsible for the same under the law; in abridging the freedom of speech and of the press; in suppressing newspapers; in establishing a secret police; in declaring martial law over States not in rebellion, where the courts are open to punish crime; in attempting to enforce a compensated emancipation; in proposing to tax white men to purchase and elevate the negro; in the dismemberment of the State of Virginia—are each and all subversive of the Federal and State Constitutions, and the reserved rights of the people, and tend to a consolidated military despotism.  In deep reverence for our Constitution, which has been ruthlessly violated, we do hereby enter our most solemn protest against these usurpations of power.

            Resolved, That while this war was conducted with the avowed purpose on the part of the administration and of congress to restore the constitution and the Union, and the constitutional authority of congress over the whole Union, we Read more

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