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by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 30TH.—The enemy are advancing across the Rappahannock, and the heavy skirmishing which precedes a battle has begun. We are sending up troops and supplies with all possible expedition. Decisive events are looked for in a few days. But if all of Longstreet’s corps be sent up, we leave the southern approach to the city but weakly defended. Hooker must have overwhelming numbers, else he would not venture to advance in the face of Lee’s army! Can he .believe the silly tale about our troops being sent from Virginia to the Carolinas? If so, he will repent his error.

We hear of fighting in Northwestern Virginia and in Louisiana, but know not the result. The enemy have in possession all of Louisiana west of the Mississippi River. This is bad for us,—sugar and salt will be scarcer still. At Grand Gulf our batteries have repulsed their gun-boats, but the battle is to be renewed.

The railroad presidents have met in this city, and ascertained that to keep the tracks in order for military purposes, 49,500 tons of rails must be manufactured per annum, and that the Tredegar Works here, and the works at Atlanta, cannot produce more than 20,000 tons per annum, even if engaged exclusively in that work! They say that neither individual nor incorporated companies will suffice. The government must manufacture iron or the roads must fail!

A cheering letter was received from Gov. Vance today, stating that, upon examination, the State (North Carolina) contains a much larger supply of meat and grain than was supposed. The State Government will, in a week or so, turn over to the Confederate Government 250,000 pounds of bacon, and a quantity of corn; and as speculators are driven out of the market, the Confederate States agents will be able to purchase large supplies from the people, who really have a considerable surplus of provisions. He attributes this auspicious state of things to the cessation of arbitrary impressments.

 by Gideon Welles

April 30, Thursday. To-day has been designated for a National Fast. I listened to a patriotic Christian discourse from my pastor, Mr. Pyne.

Had a long, studied, complaining letter from Admiral Du Pont, of some twenty pages, in explanation and refutation of a letter in the Baltimore American, which criticizes and censures his conduct at Charleston. The dispatch is no credit to Du Pont, who could be better employed. He is evidently thinking much more of Du Pont than of the service or the country. I fear he can be no longer useful in his present command, and am mortified and vexed that I did not earlier detect his vanity and weakness. They have lost us the opportunity to take Charleston, which a man of more daring energy and who had not a distinguished name to nurse and take care of would have improved. All Du Pont’s letters since the 8th show that he had no heart, no confidence, no zeal in his work; that he went into the fight with a predetermined conviction it would not be a success. He is prejudiced against the monitor class of vessels, and would attribute his failure to them, but it is evident he has no taste for rough, close fighting.

Senator Sumner called on me this P.M. in relation to the coast defense of Massachusetts. I received a letter from Governor Andrew this A.M. on the same subject. The President had also been to see me in regard to it.

After disposing of that question, Sumner related an interesting conversation which he had last evening with Lord Lyons at Tassara’s, the Spanish Minister. I was an hour or two at Tassara’s party, in the early part of the evening, and observed S. and Lord L. in earnest conversation. Sumner says their whole talk was on the subject of the mails on captured vessels. He opened the subject by regretting that in the peculiar condition of our affairs, Lord Lyons should have made a demand that could not be yielded without national dishonor; said that the question was one of judicature rather than diplomacy. Lord Lyons disavowed ever having made a demand; said he was cautious and careful in all his transactions with Mr. Seward, that he made it a point to reduce all matters with Seward of a public nature to writing, that he had done so in regard to the mail of the Peterhoff, and studiously avoided any demand. He authorized Sumner, who is Chairman of Foreign Relations, to see all his letters in relation to the mails, etc., etc.

To-day Sumner saw the President and repeated to him this conversation, Lord Lyons having authorized him to do so. The President, he says, seemed astounded, and after some general conversation on the subject, said in his emphatic way, “I shall have to cut this knot.”

April 30, 1863, The New York Herald

The Advance Movement of the Army of the Potomac.

WASHINGTON, April 29, 1863.

It was generally believed on Monday, and in some quarters positively asserted, that the Army of the Potomac had commenced moving, and a Washington paper of the next day openly proclaimed it as a fact. In this respect that newspaper had a decided advantage over the wires, But even if the intelligence had been telegraphed through loyal sources it would have been no news to the rebels; for a Fredericksburg correspondent of one of the Richmond paper writes his […..] is confirmed” that our […..] is withdrawing from the line of the Rappahannock.” The observation of newspaper men, ever since the war commenced, leads to the conclusion that nearly everything the Army of the Potomac does is promptly known to the rebels, and one occasion even the countersign was known to them before it was communicated to our own troops.

Review of General Sickles’’ Corps.

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD ARMY CORPS,

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, April, 27, 1863.

It was not an insignificant compliment which was paid to General Sickles’ corps by the General commanding this army in ordering it our for service today. The occasion was the visit of the venerable Secretary of State and a large party of Read more

April 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

LATEST FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.

CHATTANOOGA, April 27. — Our army is in line of battle at Wartrace. General JOHNSTON has taken the field. The enemy’s advanced pickets are within two miles of Wartrace. The skirmishing on Saturday failed to move the enemy’s advance.

RODDY’S cavalry has advanced from Tuscumbia. The enemy is now at Little Bear Creek, six miles from Tuscumbia. The enormities committed by the Hessians of GRANT’S army, are unparalleled. They are burning houses over women’s heads, destroying corn fields, robbing housed, and have torn rings from women’s fingers.

RODDY’S fight is considered the most brilliant and desperate of the war. Maj. JOHNSON and Capt. LEFFE greatly distinguished themselves.

April 30, 1863, The New York Herald

The only news from General Hooker’s army, notwithstanding the reports of an advance movement, is the details of the splendid review of General Sickles’ corps by Mr. Seward, the Prussian and Swedish ministers and a number of other distinguished personages on Monday.

The raid of the rebels into Western Virginia has created an intense excitement all along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, especially at Wheeling. The enemy in strong force had advanced to within seven miles of Grafton, where Colonel Mulligan was in command. The President of the Baltimore and Wilmington Railroad states that only one train of empty cars was stopped by the rebels, and only one bridge — that near Oakland — was destroyed.

The recent defeat of the rebels at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was a very creditable affair for our troops. The forces of General Marmaduke, while retreating, were surprised by the Union troops in pursuit on Sunday night, and one entire regiment was cut off. All who were not either killed or wounded were made prisoners, and their camp equipage, guns, horses and plunder were taken from them. Generals Vandever and McNeil followed the rest of General Marmaduke’s army on the next day, pressing closely on their rear.

One day’s later news from New Orleans, by the Empire City, puts us in possession of the fact that General Banks had taken possession of the Opelousas Railroad, and he had communicated with Admiral Farragut above Port Hudson. He had captured a large number of rebels, also a large amount of stores, cotton and ammunition, from the rebels. About five hundred rebel prisoners were arriving daily at New Orleans when the Empire City sailed. Read more

April 30, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

            The Augusta Manufacturing Company, through their President, Wm. E. Jackson, Esq., have generously allowed ten bales of sheetings and shirtings of their manufacture to be taken to Lake City, Fla., to be sold to the families of sick and disabled soldiers, and families of soldiers in the service, at a small advance on cost.  It will enable very many families, whose means are limited, to obtain the goods at less than half the rates charged by merchants.  Such acts of kindness should not pass unnoticed in these days of high prices, and this is recorded with the hope that the example may be followed by many who are able to come to the relief of the needy in this time of trial.

April 30, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

            In spite of all the efforts of Confederate journals North and South to conceal the fact, or deprive it of importance, no doubt remains that very serious bread riots have taken place in Richmond and other southern towns.  In these riots the women have been the leaders; and that fact alone proves that absolute hunger must have been the cause of them.  Women do not get up street riots, break open provision shops, and pillage bakeries and flour stores from political sympathies, nor from resentment against high prices.  When their children are in peril of starvation, they become capable of anything.  Nothing short of that extremity can have provoked the demonstrations admitted by the Rebel papers to have taken place in Richmond, in Raleigh, in Salisbury and many other Southern towns.

            In each of these cases the rioters were women—”mostly soldiers’ wives,” say the North Carolina papers, that give account of the latest transactions.  And these papers, more honest than those at Richmond, candidly admit that the women were prompted by hunger, their spirit sharpened, perhaps, by “hatred against speculators.”  The women armed themselves with hatchets and axes, broke upon stores that were not willingly opened to them, and took barrels of salt, flour and molasses, which they had hauled to the market house and divided equally between those who needed it.  This was a real hunger riot, and no cloak for indiscriminate robbery, as pretended in Richmond.  The Raleigh, N.C., Standard, in giving an account of it, exclaims with feeling, and with despair:  “Bread riots have commenced, and where they will end God only knows.”

            We do not wish nor expect to create hopes of advantage over the rebellion by the mere representations of scarcity of provisions in the South.  The best reliance—as it is, indeed, the only one—that a wise and powerful government should have, is the arm of military power delivering irresistible blows upon the enemy in the field.  But it is certainly sound policy to consider the physical condition of the enemy we are contending with, and take advantage of any moment of weakness and exhaustion that may come upon him.  That time with the Rebels we surely believe is now.  We have cumulative evidence that a scarcity of food never before paralleled exists in the South, that is weakening the Rebel army, disturbing the Rebel rulers, and upturning the most inveterate traditions and usages of Southern society.  This is the time, then, to press our armies upon the enemy, and still further disturb and disorganize his agriculture.  Two months hence it may be too late.  He may have then harvested his crops and passed the point of famine.—N. Y. Times.

April 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FROM VICKSBURG — THE YANKEE GUNBOATS RUNNING THE GAUNTLET — ILLUMINATION OF THE RIVER — EXCITING SCENES — BURNING OF A YANKEE TRANSPORT, ETC.

From the Vicksburg Whig of April 17th, we extract the following graphic account of the recent passage of a portion of the Yankee fleet by the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg:

Last night about eleven o’clock the rapid firing of the pickets above the city admonished all that the enemy’s boats were advancing. In a short time a black object was visible floating down the river, and as soon as it came in range our upper batteries opened fire. The gunboat, which it afterwards proved to be, soon returned fire and steamed on down the centre of the stream until about opposite the city, after which she ceased propelling and floated along. When she got opposite Major Ogden’s battery, the house of Mr. Arnold, on the opposite side of the river, was discovered to be on fire, the flames of which revealed several other boats coming down in the bend. As they came in range battery after battery opened, and the flashes from the guns and the burning house on the other shore, gave us a fine view of the advancing steamers.

Our batteries still continued belching forth with apparently good effect, but nevertheless an occasional shot came from her, the flashes of which showed her to be a low, heavy iron-clad of the Essex pattern, with two chimneys, the tops of which appeared to be painted white. Five boats next moved down almost together, and as they came under the fire of the Wyman’s Hill batteries, Yankee missiles were sent thick and fast into our city. The firing of guns, whizzing of ball, bursting of shells, the devouring flames that rose from Arnold’s house and the huzzas from the crowds that congregated on the hills, in the streets and wherever a view of the passing boats could be obtained, was a sight beggaring all Read more

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 29TH—Gen. Beauregard is eager to have completed the “Torpedo Ram,” building at Charleston, and wants a “great gun” for it. But the Secretary of the Navy wants all the iron for mailing his gun-boats. Mr. Miles, of South Carolina, says the ram will be worth two gun-boats.

The President of the Manassas Gap Railroad says his company is bringing all its old iron to the city. Wherefore?

The merchants of Mobile are protesting against the impressment by government agents of the sugar and molasses in the city. They say this conduct will double the prices. So Congress did not and cannot restrain the military authorities.

Gen. Humphrey Marshall met with no success in Kentucky. He writes that none joined him, when he was led to expect large accessions, and that he could get neither stock nor hogs. Alas, poor Kentucky! The brave hunters of former days have disappeared from the scene.

The Secretary of War was not permitted to see my letter which the President referred to him, in relation to an alphabetical analysis of the decisions of the departments. The Assistant Secretary, Judge Campbell, and the young Chief of the Bureau of War, sent it to the Secretary of the Navy, who, of course, they knew had no decisions to be preserved. Mr. Kean, I learn, indorsed a hearty approval of the plan, and said he would put it in operation in the War Office. But he said (with his concurrence, no doubt) that Judge Campbell had suggested it some time before. Well, that may be, but I first suggested it a year ago, and before either Mr. K. or Judge Campbell were in office. Office makes curious changes in men! Still, I think Mr. Seddon badly used in not being permitted to see the communications the President sends him. I have the privilege, and will use it, of sending papers directly to the Secretary.

Gen. Lee telegraphs the President to-day to send troops to Gordonsville, and to hasten forward supplies. He says Lt.-Gen. Longstreet’s corps might now be sent from Suffolk to him. Something of magnitude is on the tapis, whether offensive or defensive, I could not judge from the dispatch.

We had hail this evening as large as pullets’ eggs.

The Federal papers have accounts of brilliant successes in Louisiana and Missouri, having taken 1600 prisoners in the former State and defeated Price at Cape Girardeau in the latter. Whether these accounts are authentic or not we have no means of knowing yet. We have nothing further from Mississippi.

It is said there is some despondency in Washington.

Our people will die in the last ditch rather than be subjugated and see the confiscation of their property.

 by Gideon Welles

April 29, Wednesday. The atmosphere is thick with rumors of army movements. Hooker is reported to have crossed the river. Not unlikely a portion of his force has done so, and all may. That there may be a battle imminent is not improbable. I shall not be surprised, however, if only smart skirmishes take place.

Admiral Lee writes me that in his opinion there is no such force in Suffolk as Dix and others represent. General Dix, like most of our generals, cries aloud for gunboats and naval protection, but is not inclined to be grateful, or even just to his defenders.

April 29, 1863, Montgomery Weekly Advertiser

            The Macon Ga., Telegraph, of the 22d, gives the following account of a most flagrant highway robbery committed by females in Monroe county, on Friday last.  It is said that these females were not able to plead poverty or necessity as an excuse for their acts, but whether they could or not, it is time such exhibitions of lawlessness were put down with a strong hand.  The Telegraph says:

            A factory at Seven Islands, in Butts county, had loaded a wagon with seven bales of manufactured goods, and dispatched it by their customary driver, a trusty old negro, to Forsyth, for transportation upon the Macon & Western Railroad.  The wagon arrived at Forsyth in due time with only three bales and the driver’s story, (which there is no reason to doubt, as he identified many of the parties, and it is also sustained by circumstantial evidence,) is as follows:  When the wagon had progressed about seven miles on its journey, it was stopped by a line of twenty eight women drawn up across the road—the most of them armed with knives and pistols, and in the thicket close to the scene of action sat a man upon a stump, also armed with a double-barrelled gun.  The women called upon the negro to halt, upon the peril of his life, and then immediately commenced discharging the load of the wagon—cutting open the bales, and as soon as they had taken as many pieces of cloth as they could carry away, made off, leaving Jim to proceed on his journey with the three bales left.

April 29, 1863, Dallas Herald

            We are pleased to say to our readers that we have received our supply of white paper, and shall next week enlarge our sheet.  We hope that we shall not again be compelled to print on brown paper.  We earnestly request all subscribers to renew their subscription, as we shall be compelled to discontinue every paper at the expiration of the time paid for, unless the price is paid up promptly.

April 29, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

Jackson, Miss., March 6, 1863.

            Madam—I have the honor to acknowledge the reception, at the hands of Dr. Blackburn, of the elegant “chappeau” sent to me by yourself and other ladies of Montgomery.  I accept it with pride, and shall wear it in grateful remembrance of the fair donors.

            When the history of the revolution shall be written, I trust that the ladies of the South may receive that credit to which their lofty and self sacrificing patriotism so justly entitles them.  Through our darkest hours they have stood firm and unshaken, seeing, with the eye of faith, the rainbow of promise spanning the horizon of the future, when to others all seemed gloomy, desolate and hopeless.  The first to counsel resistance to tyranny, they have nobly maintained their position by sending forth to battle, and perhaps to death, the objects of their earthly adoration; and this not reluctantly, as the miser parts with his gold, but cheerfully and courageously they have laid their temporal happiness on the altar of their country, content to lose everything except honor, and determined that at any hazard it should be maintained.  Nor have their exertions stopped here.  The soldiers of every battle-field, and on every starving march, and in every hospital, have been nerved, strengthened and encouraged by the words of cheer and sympathy that have reached them from home.  Nobly have the women of the South fulfilled their mission in this our struggle for constitutional government.  Their conduct gives assurance to the world that men descended from such mothers, having such wives and sisters, can never be made to bow the neck to the yoke of oppression, no matter with what strength it may be forced upon them.

            For the complimentary expressions toward myself, contained in your letter, I am deeply grateful, but I cannot accept them without assuring you that whatever of good to the cause I may have been enabled to accomplish is due to the exertions of the noble men who have constituted my command.  They have endured the heats of summer and colds of winter—have faced death in its most horrid forms, in camp and on the battle field, with a sublime heroism to which history presents few parallels.

            Again thanking you for your kind remembrance of me, I remain, very respectfully, your friend and obedient servant.

Sterling Price,
Major General.

            Mrs. Alex. F. Givens, and others, Montgomery, Alabama.

April 29, 1863, Charleston Mercury

            In compliance with the suggestion of the Surgeon General, we begin to-day the publication of extracts from the valuable work of Dr. Porcher.  We call the special attention of farmers and planters, of house-wives, gardeners, and all who deal with herbs, to these extracts, in the hope that they will devote themselves with energy to the patriotic task of collecting and preparing medicinal plants for the use of the soldiers in the field and in hospitals.  A vast deal of good may be done, and an immense stock of native medicines may be gathered before next winter sets in, if the hints here given are attended to.  Of course, a fair price will be paid for all medicines, and a ready sale will be found for them:

            Sassafras.—Whilst engaged in active duties as Surgeon to the Holcombe Legion, whenever a soldier suffered from measles, pneumonia, bronchitis, or cold, his companion or nurse was directed to procure the roots and leaves of sassafras, and a tea made with this supplied that of flax seed or gum arabic.

            Bene (Sesamum).—The planters and farmers throughout the Confederate States should save and cure all the leaves of the Bene now growing, to be used in camp dysentery, in colds, coughs, etc., among our soldiers, in place of gum arabic or flax seed.  One or two leaves in a tumbler of water imparts their mucilaginous properties.

            Dogwood (Cornus Florida)—Since the war, the bark has been employed with great advantage in place of quinine—by physicians in Sumter District, S. C., and elsewhere—particularly in cases of low forms of fever, and in dysentery, on the river courses, of a typhoid character.  It is given as a substitute for Peruvian bark.  In fact, in almost any case where the Cinchona bark was used.

            Wild Jalap (Podophyllum Peltatum).—This can be used as a laxative in place of rhubarb or jalap, or whenever a purgative is required.  Every planter in the Confederate States can produce the opium, mustard and flax seed that is required, either for the army or home use.

            Podophyllum peltatum, L.  Wild jalap; May Apple.—We have employed this plant among negros as a substitute for jalap and the ordinary cathartics, and find that it answers every purpose, being easily prepared by the person having charge of them.  Thirty grains of the root in substance were given, or an infusion of one ounce in a pint of water, of which Read more

April 29, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

            We learn by a gentleman from Hempstead, that the ladies of that county gave a fair on last Tuesday night in Hempstead, for the benefit of Waller’s Battalion the proceeds of which amounted to upwards of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.  This is the largest contribution we have yet heard of at any one fair, and speaks stronger than any language for the patriotism of Austin county.

April 29, 1863, Tri-Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Texas)

            Yesterday the sale of the negroes belonging to Gen. H. P. Bee, took place at the auction rooms of Col. J. S. Sydnor, and the prices ranged beyond those paid a week or two since.  The number sold yesterday was 31, and the amount of the sale was between eighty-five and eighty-six thousand dollars.  Women from 18 to 20 years of age, sold  for $4000 and $4500.  One woman with two small children sold for $5,700.  Ordinary negro men brought over $4000.  The lot was not an extraordinarily good one, though very fair, but the prices were unusually high.

April 29, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

Dismal Swamp, N. C.,          
April 21st, 1863.    

            Mr. Editor:—From the above captain you may judge that we have gone nearly to the “jumping off place.”  I never was so near out of the civilized world.  But let this dismal region come in at its proper place.  I will continue the narration of our expedition in order.

            The day I last wrote from Gatesville, and after my letter was sealed, there was enacted, at Col. Cumming’s headquarters, one of the most interesting, comic, and amusing hypodromes recorded in the annals of this war.  In the evening, a dozen or more young ladies from Gatesville visited our brigade, paying especial honors to the 20th Georgia.  They were neatly and appropriately dressed, and tolerably good looking to boot, but most of them came out in “go-carts”—a vehicle in common use in this region.  They went by singing “Wait for the Wagon,” &c., and were heartily cheered by the boys.  When they reached Col. Cumming’s headquarters they all descended from their “carriages”, and were entertained by the band and songs by Thad. Murphy—an amusing character who had gained considerable reputation in comic shows and negro minstrelsy.  Col. C. was pressed to address them, but declined.  The evening passed off pleasantly enough.—When the hour of departure arrived, the young ladies were in the most gallant manner escorted to their “go carts”—some drawn by horses, some by mules, but the greater part, by oxen!  One young lady, and a pretty one too, exclaimed “Where’s my carriage?”  The “carriage” drove up and wheeled about for her to get in.  What do you suppose that “carriage” was?  A little two wheeled cart, with a body 3 by 5 feet, and drawn by a little red two year old bull!  Now that’s a fact!  During our entire trip through northeastern North Carolina, I have not seen but two carriages, a half dozen buggies and three sulkies.  But I have seen five hundred go-carts!  They are fashionable.  But the funniest features of this funny mode of locomotion is that all, male and female, stand up to drive.  The first time we saw two girls standing up in one of those two wheeled carts busily plying the whip to the pony between the shafts, there was a universal burst of laughter from all beholders.  But they became so common as to create no remark; on the contrary, a buggy or sulky became a matter of some importance, if not of surprise.

            The citizens of Gatesville gave an entertainment the same night and invited the brigade.  It was intended as a supper and ball; but the jealousy and misguided pride of some gold laced officers broke it up.  There was too large an attendance of privates to suit them, and they determined to carry the day.  The soldiers seeing what was in the wind, determined to “stick ‘em out.”  It was little less than a “row”—disgraceful to the brigade.  It is understood that brandy was at the bottom of it.

            The next day (Saturday) we passed through Gatesville, on our way to the “Block House,” on Chowan river, distant about twenty miles.  Numerous Secesh flags hung from the windows, and the children cheered for the “Jeff Davis boys.”  Gatesville is rather a pretty town.  The Court House is large, and the churches speak favorably for the morals of the people.  The streets and walks are well shaded, and, with a little attention, it could be made one of the prettiest towns in the eastern portion of the State.

            Fish, eggs, butter, milk, chickens and potatoes were abundant and cheap.  Southwestern Georgia cannot surpass this country in the production of potatoes.  I never saw finer, sweeter yams.  For once I got my “fill” of eggs and shad.

            Two or three hours by sun we halted at an old church, near a large swamp, and within two miles of the entrenched camps and block houses of the Buffaloes, but they were gone.—Had we been a day sooner we could have captured the whole possee comitatus.  There was one company of Massachusetts men and renegades, numbering about one hundred and fifty.  They were in great distress, fearing we would come down upon them before the transport from the Yankee fleet, off Newbern, I suppose, come to their assistance.  They are said to have been in despair, and would have surrendered without resistance.  But about three o’clock of the morning we reached them, a transport came up the Chowan and carried them off.  Before leaving there, they destroyed their block houses.

            The Chowan is very wide and deep—capable of floating a vessel of heavy burden.  It affords an abundant supply of the choicest shad, rock, mullet, perch and pike.  The people are all good livers in this section, and many are wealthy.  Mr. Elliott had stolen from him 55 negroes, and I heard of some farmers who have lost from 100 to 400.

            This class of citizens have been sorely persecuted by the Buffaloes or renegades.  There is a hybrid breed of traitors, called “sawed horned Buffaloes,” because they do not take up arms and engage in open acts of war, but profess to be friends to whichever party happens to be in power.  They are said, however, to favor the Yankees most, by informing them of our movements.  They bring news to us also, but their tales are not credited.

            On the following day the enemy were reported as having crossed the swamps by the turnpike and moving towards Gatesville to get in our rear.  In consequence of this report we marched twenty or twenty-two miles by a circuitous route to Sandy Crossing, where we halted for the night.  The report was exaggerated, only a small scouting party having appeared at the west end of the pike.  At 12 m yesterday we reached the Dismal Swamp turnpike.  The 17th regiment was detailed to guard this pike while the rest of the command proceeded with the expedition.

            It is useless for me to attempt a description of the swamp or the country in which we are stationed.  In the absence of a map, and my ignorance of the geography, or topography, of the country, I am at a loss to understand any thing about it.  It is the wildest, strangest country I ever saw.  The sun rises in the south and sets in the north!  The swamp is dark and dismal, and impassable to every creature but bears, wolves, panthers, et id genus, which are said to be numerous.  In many places a man will sink to his neck in the quagmires.  The water looks as black as tar; the fish are black; every thing except man is black, and he is swarthy enough.  The people are ignorant beyond anything I have seen in the States.  I have asked every man (citizen) I met the name of the county, and at last was told by a soldier.  He says it is Perquimon county.  It ought to have been persimmon county.  Possum Scuffle District!  Some told me it was Colmmon co.; some McColmmon; some Gates, Aquamine and Pasquotank.  It is positively affirmed that some of the people don’t know that there is a Southern Confederacy.  One family was very anxious to learn how Gen. George Washington is “getting on with his army!”  They have never heard of Lee, Jackson, Longstreet, or Beauregard!  In one precinct near the Dismal Swamp the people, it is said, vote for Henry Clay at every election!  They think he is running for President.  I think there is a slight mistake here.  It is Jackson—old Hickory—they vote for.  Whigs don’t live in “sich” a swamp.  Not one half of the people have ever heard of the battle in front of Richmond—or the last battle of Manassas!  This must be the region from which came the honest “tar heels”—the victim and source of so much raillery and jest.

            The enemy’s cavalry pickets are two miles in front of us at the toll gate, where the pike turns southward towards South Mills.  They destroyed a barn near the gate last night, containing from 300 to 500 barrels of corn.  We have one section of artillery, one company of cavalry, and can hold in check a force of ten thousand men.

            But I am spinning my narrative to too great a length.  Bear with me one moment and I am done for the time.

            I know not what direction Gen. Benning will take, nor how long this regiment will remain here.

            We are in total ignorance of what is going on at Suffolk.  Can hear nothing reliable.

            It is reported and believed that the Yankees have evacuated Elizabeth City.  We get no papers, and very few letters.  If we stay here long we will all become “tar heels” or hoosiers.

            More anon.                                                                 V.A.S.P.

April 29, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

            We learn that Curtis, the chief or head of the cotton card swindlers, was met by Mr. S. Wilson, the sutler of  Col. Glenn’s regiment, some few miles this side of Memphis.  Wilson brought him part of the way, but when within twenty miles of Little Rock, Curtis succeeded in effecting his escape.  We learn further, that Curtis gave up thirty-one or two thousand dollars in Confederate money and about eight in gold, which, we suppose, will be divided among his victims.

April 29, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

CHEERING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT.

We were informed yesterday by a highly intelligent Confederate officer, recently from the Department west of the Mississippi River, that our prospects there are now brighter than they have been for many months past. The appointment of General Kirby Smith and General Price to take command in that country has already had a most happy effect. It has infused fresh life and spirit into the troops and given renewed hope and confidence to the people. Hundreds of families who were preparing to abandon the country have gone to work in earnest to raise provision crops, and thousands of men who had deserted from the army, while it was under the control of Holmes and Hindman, are willingly returning to their duty. Our informant states that not less than two hundred, who had been skulking in the woods, came in a body, and gave themselves up, avowing their desire to be marched against the enemy.

Our army there is consequently rapidly increasing in numbers and efficiency, and under the guidance of the able generals who are now at the head of affairs, we may reasonably expect the occurrence of important events within the next sixty days. The management, or rather the mismanagement of Gen. Holmes, had disgusted and disheartened the army and the people, and they were almost ready to despair when the change of commanders was made. They are now satisfied and hopeful. The old war horse of Missouri, Sterling Price, they know and love, and they repose great confidence in the administrative ability of Gen. Smith. The whole country participates in the feeling of relief occasioned by the removal of an incubus from the Trans-Mississippi Department, and the people generally are willing to trust the destinies of the Great West in the hands of those who now in a great measure control it. — Montgomery Advertiser

April 29, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

            A gentleman who crossed the Mississippi within the last few days brings a Yankee Circular from which we extract the following rules and regulations governing work on plantations in Louisiana in the hands of the Federals.—What with the fines, lost time and bad marks the poor negro will have a small showing of cash at the close of the year.—Col. Times.

Rules and Regulations.

            1st—We agree to work on this __________ Plantation for one year, and to do such a day’s work as was done in former years.

            2d—We will obey the manager in all things, and assist him to enforce these Rules against all offenders.

            3d—Lost time will be deducted.  Lazy work will cause a deduction of wages.  Tasks will be given when possible.

            4th—We will go to work at day-light, and will work until dark, taking the usual number of hours for meals.  For being too late at getting out, ten minutes after the last tap of the bell, a fine of ten cents.  Habitual laziness, stealing, quarrelling, for breaking any other Rules, expulsion from the place, with loss of all back wages to the hospital fund.  All fines go to this fund.

            5th—All hands will be in their cabins at the last tap of the bell, and to remain there till the first tap of the bell in the morning, under a fine of ten cents for each offence.

            6th—The wages are one dollar per month for women and boys; two dollars for field hands, and three dollars for mechanics—or one-twentieth of the crop; with clothing and rations usually furnished. Read more

April 29, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

By the wise and efficient preparation of our materials, and the discipline, gallant bearing and uncommon skill of our soldiers, the Yankee fleet has been discomfited and repulsed with damage from the outer defences of Charleston harbor. The battered fleet steamed off to Port Royal bay, and the army which had been landed for cooperative movements probably reembark in chagrin towards its previous position. The troops from Gen. FOSTER’S command, it may be, have been returned to reinforce him in North Carolina. The Yankees have confessed a disastrous defeat. We have abundant reason for congratulations.

But it will be well for us to remember that there is a large force still on our soil under HUNTER, that the iron-clads are still in our waters under DUPONT, and that the Yankees are a people of great mechanical resource and great energy. Let us not, therefore, lull ourselves into indolent security, either because of the late victory, or because it is proclaimed at the North that Charleston is impregnable, and the idea of taking it is abandoned. Let us rather be on the alert, take every security and redouble our efforts to make assurance doubly sure, both for the city and railroad. Let our military resources be held thoroughly in hand, and preparation be still the word. Caution will do no harm. A fleet of several dozen transport vessels have been and are now lying in North Edisto Inlet. Also five iron-clad gunboats. Yankee troops still occupy Sea Islands not remote. Without vigilance and activity, we may yet meet with some disaster at the hands of a strong, wily and vindictive foe.

April 29, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

It will be recollected by our readers that, some months ago, when Charleston was threatened and a long siege anticipated, the City Council appointed a Subsistence Committee for the purpose of purchasing a stock of rice and corn for the use of the citizens generally should a protracted siege ever take place. The Committee did purchase a large quantity of these necessaries, which are now stored, subject to their order. At a meeting of Council last evening it was resolved that the Subsistence Committee report at the next regular meeting the quantity of rice and corn on hand, with the view of offering them to the citizens in small quantities at cost prices. The resolution was objected to by one of the Aldermen, on the ground that the policy proposed would interfere with the business of merchants engaged in the provision trade, but this objection was responded to eloquently by several other members, and, after a debate of some length, the resolution was carried by a very large majority. This action of Council will have a tendency to further reduce the prices of provisions.

edited by G.W. Cable

April 28th, 1863.—What shall we eat? what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we be clothed? We have no prophet of the Lord at whose prayer the meal and oil will not waste. As to wardrobe, I have learned to darn like an artist. Making shoes is now another accomplishment. Mine were in tatters. H. came across a moth-eaten pair that he bought me, giving ten dollars, I think, and they fell into rags when I tried to wear them; but the soles were good, and that has helped me to shoes. A pair of old coat-sleeves—nothing is thrown away now—was in my trunk. I cut an exact pattern from my old shoes, laid it on the sleeves, and cut out thus good uppers and sewed them carefully; then soaked the soles and sewed the cloth to them. I am so proud of these home-made shoes that I think I’ll put them in a glass case when the war is over, as an heirloom. H. says he has come to have an abiding faith that everything he needs to wear will come out of that trunk while the war lasts. It is like a fairy-casket. I have but a dozen pins remaining, I gave so many away. Every time these are used they are straightened and kept from rust. All these curious labors are performed while the shells are leisurely screaming through the air; but as long as we are out of range we don’t worry. For many nights we have had but little sleep because the Federal gun-boats have been running past the batteries. The uproar when this is happening is phenomenal. The first night the thundering artillery burst the bars of sleep, we thought it an attack by the river. To get into garments and rush upstairs was the work of a moment. From the upper gallery we have a fine view of the river, and soon a red glare lit up the scene and showed a small boat towing two large barges, gliding by. The Confederates had set fire to a house near the bank. Another night, eight boats ran by, throwing a shower of shot, and two burning houses made the river clear as day. One of the batteries has a remarkable gun they call “Whistling Dick,” because of the screeching, whistling sound it gives, and certainly it does sound like a tortured thing. Added to all this is the indescribable Confederate yell, which is a soul-harrowing sound to hear. I have gained respect for the mechanism of the human ear, which stands it all without injury. The streets are seldom quiet at night; even the dragging about of cannon makes a din in these echoing gullies. The other night we were on the gallery till the last of the eight boats got by. Next day a friend said to H., “It was a wonder you didn’t have your heads taken off last night. I passed and saw them stretched over the gallery, and grape-shot were whizzing up the street just on a level with you.” The double roar of batteries and boats was so great, we never noticed the whizzing. Yesterday the Cincinnati attempted to go by in daylight, but was disabled and sunk. It was a pitiful sight; we could not see the finale, though we saw her rendered helpless.

by John Beauchamp Jones

APRIL 28TH. —The enemy’s raid in Mississippi seems to have terminated at Enterprise, where we collected a force and offered battle, but the invaders retreated. It is said they had 1600 cavalry and 5 guns, and the impression prevails that but few of them will ever return. It is said they sent back a detachment of 200 men some days ago with their booty, watches, spoons, jewelry, etc. rifled from the habitations of the non-combating people.

I saw Brig.-Gen. Chilton to day, Chief of Gen. Lee’s Staff. He says, when the time comes, Gen. Lee will do us all justice. I asked him if Richmond were safe, and he responded in the affirmative.

I am glad the Secretary of War has stopped the blockade-running operations of Gen. Winder and Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War. Until to-day, Gen. W. issued many passports which were invariably approved by Judge Campbell, but for some cause, and Heaven knows there is cause enough, Mr. Secretary has ordered that no more passports be granted Marylanders or foreigners to depart from the Confederacy. I hope Mr. S. will not “back down” from this position.

To-day I returned to the department from the Bureau of Conscription, being required at my old post by Mr. Kean, Chief of the Bureau of War, my friend, Jacques, being out of town with a strangury. Thus it is; when Congress meets I am detailed on service out of the department, and when Congress adjourns they send for me back again. Do they object to my acquaintance with the members ?

A few weeks ago I addressed the President a letter suggesting that an alphabetical analysis be made of letter and indorsement books, embracing principles of decisions, and not names. This I did for the Bureau of Conscription, which was found very useful. Precedents could thus be readily referred to when, as was often the case, the names of parties could not be recollected. It happened, singularly enough, that this paper came into my hands with forty-nine others to-day, at the department, where I shall wholly remain hereafter. The President seemed struck with the idea, and indorsed a reference on it to the “State, Treasury, War, and Navy Departments,” and also to the Attorney-General. I shall be curious to know what the Secretary thinks of this plan. No matter what the Secretary of War thinks of it; he declined my plan of deriving supplies directly from the people, and then adopted it.

 by Gideon Welles

April 28, Tuesday. Nothing at Cabinet, Seward and Chase absent. The President engaged in selecting provost-marshals.

Sumner called this evening at the Department. Was much discomfited with an interview which he had last evening with the President. The latter was just filing a paper as Sumner went in. After a few moments Sumner took two slips from his pocket, — one cut from the Boston Transcript, the other from the Chicago Tribune, each taking strong ground against surrendering the Peterhoff mail. The President, after reading them, opened the paper he had just filed and read to Sumner his letter addressed to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Navy. He told Sumner he had received the replies and just concluded reading mine. After some comments on them he said to Sumner, “I will not show these papers to you now; perhaps I never shall.” A conversation then took place which greatly mortified and chagrined Sumner, who declares the President is very ignorant or very deceptive. The President, he says, is horrified, or appeared to be, with the idea of a war with England, which he assumed depended on this question. He was confident we should have war with England if we presumed to open their mail bags, or break their seals or locks. They would not submit to it, and we were in no condition to plunge into a foreign war on a subject of so little importance in comparison with the terrible consequences which must follow our act. Of this idea of a war with England, Sumner could not dispossess him by argument, or by showing its absurdity. Whether it was real or affected ignorance, Sumner was not satisfied.

I have no doubts of the President’s sincerity, and so told Sumner. But he has been imposed upon, humbugged, by a man in whom he confides. His confidence has been abused; he does not — frankly confesses he does not — comprehend the principles involved nor the question itself. Seward does not intend he shall comprehend it. While attempting to look into it, the Secretary of State is daily, and almost hourly, wailing in his ears the calamities of a war with England which he is striving to prevent. The President is thus led away from the real question, and will probably decide it, not on its merits, but on this false issue, raised by the man who is the author of the difficulty.

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