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November 18, 1863, The New York Herald

            The United States steamer Ashland, from Hilton Head, brigs us accounts from Charleston up to Sunday. The bombardment of Fort Sumter continued unabated. Rebel telegrams to Richmond say that the fort cannot be injured any further. The Battery Gregg kept up a fire on the rebel batteries on Sullivan Island all Saturday afternoon, the enemy slowly returning the fire from Fort Lamar and Battery Simpkins.

            The news from Gen. Meade’s army is not very exciting. On Sunday morning the cavalry division of Gen. Kilpatrick, under command of Gen. Custer, made a reconnoissance along the Rapidan, at Raccoon Ford, to ascertain the truth or falsity of the reports that the rebels were falling back upon Gordonsville. As our cavalry approached they were met with a few guns from the rebel intrenchments; but our light batteries soon silenced them. A small number of rebel sharpshooters were seen in the lower rifle pits, and shortly afterwards a strong rebel infantry force was discovered, but the river being much swollen the cavalry did not cross.

            It was believed in Washington yesterday that two of the divisions of General Hill’s corps have left the Rapidan and gone southward; but whether to Tennessee or Fredericksburg, or to demonstrate upon the left flank of Army of the Potomac, was not known. Our last news from Chattanooga, to the 16th instant, reports that the rebel battery on Lookout Mountain is vigorously at work on our camps, but is doing no damage. Large reinforcements are said to be arriving to General Bragg, and the railroad from Chickamauga Station for a distance of eight miles south is lined with the enemy’s camps. An important engagement was expected before the campaign closes. Major General Sherman was at General Thomas’ headquarters on Monday, having made a junction, with his entire corps, with the right of General Grant’s army at Chattanooga.

            Another rebel torpedo was discovered in James river on Saturday. It was sent down with a view of damaging the Roanoke but Capt. Gansevoort observed it and had it towed ashore, when the devilish contents of a rough looking pine box were brought to light, in the shape of a tin case, containing thirty-five pounds of powder and machinery for igniting it by percussion.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 17TH.—A cold, dark day. No news. It was a mistake about the enemy crossing the Rapidan—only one brigade (cavalry) came over, and it was beaten back without delay.

            Vice-President Stephens writes a long letter to the Secretary, opposing the routine policy of furloughs, and extension of furloughs; suggesting that in each district some one should have authority to grant them. He says many thousands have died by being hastened back to the army uncured of their wounds, etc.—preferring death to being advertised as deserters.

            Captain Warner sent me a bag of sweet potatoes to-day, received from North Carolina. We had an excellent dinner.

November 17, 1863, The New York Herald

            We lay before our readers today further particulars of the great Texas expedition, the main points of which, together with a full account of its success on the Rio Grande, we gave exclusively yesterday, from the pen of our special correspondent on the flagship McClellan. The account which we publish in another column today gives still more minutely all the incidents of this important expedition, from its starting to its successful and eventful close. The maps which accompany our correspondentstatement will be found most valuable in illustrating the course and objects of the expedition. They show the spot where our troops were landed on the 2d inst. at Brazos Island and the mouth of the Rio Grande, together with Brownsville and Point Isabel, and other points now invested with a peculiar interest.

            The latest news from Charleston is by way of Richmond, to the 14th inst. On the 13th the firing from our batteries averaged about two shots a minute throughout the night, and continued with greater rapidity next day. The casualties were only two killed and one wounded.

            A despatch from Atlanta, Ga., on the 13th, says that a fight between the rebel batteries and our forces before Chattanooga continued briskly up to that time, and that our troops have made a diversion from right to left, with a view probably to attack Lookout Mountain, or, it may be, to send troops to reinforce Gen. Burnside.

            We give some further interesting particulars today concerning the great Canadian plot which has fizzled out so completely.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 16TH.—Governor Brown, Georgia, writes the Secretary that he is opposed to impressments, and that the government should pay the market price—whatever that is. And the Rhett politicians of South Carolina are opposed to raising funds to pay with, by taxing land and negroes. So indicates the Mercury.

            We have news to-day of the crossing of the Rapidan River by Meade’s army. A battle, immediately, seems inevitable.

November 16, 1863, The New York Herald

            By the arrival of the steamers Cromwell, Columbia and Continental from New Orleans yesterday, we have highly interesting news of the expedition of General Banks. It has landed safely on the Texas shore of the Rio Grande, after experiencing some severe weather at sea, and much difficulty in putting the men ashore through the surf. The government works at Fort Brown were destroyed by the rebels, upon seeing our troops landing, and the town of Brownsville was set on fire by the enemy’s cavalry. The Union men in the town resisted them, and a bloody street fight ensued between the two factions, while the houses were burning around them. The Fifteenth Maine regiment was ordered up to Brownsville to support the Unionists. Our special correspondent on the flagship McClellan furnishes a highly interesting account in minute detail of the progress of the expedition, which will be found in another column.

            Everything is quiet on the Rappahannock and Rapidan. General Meade will return to his command today. Heavy cannonading was heard yesterday morning in the vicinity of Stevensburg, commencing at eight o’clock, and continuing about an hour. It was renewed between eleven and twelve o’clock, and was heard at Bealton, twenty miles distant, as the train passed that point. It was supposed that Kilpatrick, who has his camp at Stevensburg, had engaged a reconnoitering force of the enemy.

            It is definitely ascertained that General Lee has not left for Chattanooga as was recently reported, though it is believed that a portion of his troops have been sent off, leaving portions of two corps on the Rapidan. From rebel sources it is learned that the enemy has little apprehension of our assaulting his position at present. Huts are being erected, and indications are that Lee proposes to winter behind his intrenchments on the Rapidan.

            A body of rebel guerillas attacked and captured a train of twenty-one wagons within ten miles of Cumberland Gap, on the 12th instant; but while they were going off with their prey, Colonel Lemert, with a few of the Fourth Ohio cavalry, dashed upon them, and after a sabre fight of a few minutes, completely dispersed the guerillas, after killing two, wounding four and capturing eleven of them. The train was of course recovered.

            The United States steam transport Arago, from Charleston, brings news to the 12th inst. Nothing of an important character has occurred there for some days past. The bombardments of Fort Sumter still continues, although with less vigor than a week ago. The shells from our mortars gradually decrease the garrison from day to day by some five or six of the defenders being killed or wounded. The rebel batteries at Secessionville have been firing on our light draught steamers, and the compliment was returned by Captain Bacon with a few shells from the Commodore McDonough, which incontinently dispersed a very pleasant party of ladies and gentlemen who were enjoying themselves at a musical tea party.

            The United States transport Dudley Buck, from Newbern via Fortress Monroe, arrived here yesterday afternoon. She brought from the latter place Brigadier General Fitzhugh Lee, of the rebel service, as prisoner, in charge of Captain Watson, of the Third Pennsylvania artillery.

            The correspondence of the rebel agents in Europe, picked up during the capture of the blockade runners off Wilmington, N.C. – the tenor of which we have before referred to – will be found in our columns today. It comprises a very curious and interesting budget of news accidentally thrown into our hands.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 15TH.—After a fine rain all night, it cleared away beautifully this morning, cool, but not unseasonable. There is no news of importance. The Governor of Georgia recommends, in his message, that the Legislature instruct their representatives in Congress to vote for a repeal of the law allowing substitutes, and also to put the enrolling officers in the ranks, leaving the States to send conscripts to the army. The Georgia Legislature have passed a resolution, unanimously, asking the Secretary of War to revoke the appointments of all impressing agents in that State, and appoint none but civilians and citizens. I hope the Secretary will act upon this hint. But will he?

            The papers contain the following :

            “Arrived in Richmond.—Mrs. Todd, of Kentucky, the mother of Mrs. Lincoln, arrived in this city on the steamer Schultz, Thursday night, having come to City Point on a flag of truce boat. She goes South to visit her daughter, Mrs. Helm, widow of Surgeon-General Helm, who fell at Chickamauga. Mrs. Todd is about to take up her residence in the South, all her daughters being here, except the wife of Lincoln, who is in Washington, and Mrs. Kellogg, who is at present in Paris.”

            “TO THE POOR.—C. Baumhard, 259 Main Street, between Seventh and Eighth, has received a large quantity of freshly-ground corn-meal, which he will sell to poor families at the following rates: one bushel, $16; half bushel, $8; one peck, $4; half peck, $2.”

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 14TH.—Some skirmishing between Chattanooga and Knoxville. From prisoners we learn that the enemy at both those places are on half rations, and that Grant intends to attack Bragg soon at Lookout Mountain. Either Grant or Bragg must retire, as the present relative positions cannot long be held.

            Mr. A. Moseley, formerly editor of the Whig, writes, in response to a letter from the Secretary of War, that he deems our affairs in a rather critical condition. He is perfectly willing to resume his labor, but can see no good to be effected by him. He thinks, however, that the best solution for the financial question would be to cancel the indebtedness of the government to all except foreigners, and call it ($800,000,000) a contribution to the wars—and the sacrifices would be pretty equally distributed. He suggests the formation of an army, quietly, this winter, to invade Pennsylvania next spring, leaving Lee still with his army on this side of the Potomac. Nevertheless, he advises that no time should be lost in securing foreign aid, while we are still able to offer some equivalents, and before the enemy gets us more in his power. Rather submit to terms with France and England, or with either, than submission to the United States. Such are the opinions of a sagacious and experienced editor.

            Another letter from Brig.-Gen. Meredith, Fortress Monroe, was received to-day, with a report of an agent on the condition of the prisoners at Fort Delaware. By this report it appears our men get meat three times a day—coffee, tea, molasses, chicken soup, fried mush, etc. But it is not stated how much they get. The agent says they confess themselves satisfied. Clothing, it would appear, is also issued them, and they have comfortable sleeping beds, etc. He says several of our surgeons propose taking the oath of allegiance, first resigning, provided they are permitted to visit their families. Gen. M. asks for a similar report of the rations, etc. served the Federal prisoners here, with an avowed purpose of retaliation, provided the accounts of their condition be true. I know not what response will be made; but our surgeon-general recommends an inspection and report. They are getting sweet potatoes now, and generally they get bread and beef daily, when our Commissary-General Northrop has them. But sometimes they have little or no meat for a day or so at a time—and occasionally they have bread only once a day. It is difficult to feed them, and I hope they will be exchanged soon. But Northrop says our own soldiers must soon learn to do without meat; and but few of us have little prospect of getting enough to eat this winter. My family had a fine dinner to-day—the only one for months. As for clothes, we are as shabby as Italian lazzaronis—with no prospect whatever of replenished wardrobe, unless some European power will come and take us, as the French have done Mexico.

November 14, 1863, The New York Herald

            All continues quiet in front of the Potomac Army. The headquarters of the Commissary Department are now at Warrenton Junction, from which immediate supplies of rations are daily forwarded. The demoralization in the rebel army is reported to be on the increase. A deserter from the Ninth Alabama (Ewell’s corps) states that the whole regiment has laid down its arms and refused to fight any longer. Upon an attempt to put them under guard they dispersed through the country, with the intention of joining the Union army. The dependency of the rebel soldiers generally is said to be very great. A report was prevalent yesterday that a large force of the rebels shelled General Kilpatrick’s camp, near Stevensburg, on Thursday morning, proving that the enemy are still in strength at this side of the Rapidan.

            Very important despatches from the diplomatic agents of the rebels in Europe to the rebel government were recently found in the capture of the blockade runners Robert E. Lee, Cornubia and others, showing that the rebel agents entirely despair of any assistance either from England or France. They state that Louis Napoleon has no intention of affording the South any aid except what the government of England may be disposed to give, and that while he is amusing them with the hope of an alliance with Mexico, they have nothing of a substantial character to hope from him. These statements present the rebel cause in Europe in a very dismal condition.

            Several prisoners taken off the R.E. Lee and other blockade runners were brought to this city by the steamer Newbern yesterday. Among them were two British army officers and the Belgian Consul.

            General Butler has arrived at Fortress Monroe and assumed the command of his new department. General Foster, upon leaving, issued a farewell order to his troops.

            A large quantity of provisions, consisting of pork, beef, sugar, rice, potatoes, coffee and bread were shipped from Fortress Monroe on Thursday by the Commissary of Subsistence to the unfortunate starving Union prisoners at Richmond. Twenty-five thousand rations in all were forwarded, and it remains to be seen whether the prisoners will receive them.

            Official despatches from General Thomas, at Chattanooga, and General Burnside, in East Tennessee, were received at the War Department yesterday, dated on the previous evening, and state that all is quiet in front of their respective armies. The despatch from General Burnside is said to set all anxiety at rest as to the safety of his position.

            Deserters to our lines at Chattanooga report terrible disaffection in Bragg’s army, the troops laying down their arms and refusing to continue longer in the rebel service. Bragg’s army is said to be sixty thousand strong.

            There is no later development concerning the Johnson’s Island affair, except that a large force of infantry, cavalry and artillery has been sent there to defend the place. It is said that Hon. Preston King has been sent to Canada by our government to investigate the plot. Heavy batteries are erected to command the harbor of Sandusky, and the United States steamer Michigan is lying off Johnson’s Island, ready for action.

            Our correspondence from New Orleans by the steamer Yazoo yesterday reveals the progress of the Texas expedition to the 3d inst. General Banks is superintending the campaign in person. The full occupation of the frontier line of the Rio Grande is contemplated by the expedition. The French are said to be encamped within thirty miles of Matamoros. A despatch from the army in Western Louisiana states that General Washburne’s advance of the Thirteenth army corps was driven in by the rebels upon the main body on the 3d inst., but that the enemy were subsequently driven back with a loss of over two hundred killed and wounded, and two hundred taken prisoners.

            We have copious news from the rebel journals to the 11th inst. They are greatly exercised about the recent elections at the North. The late dismissal of the English Consuls by Jeff. Davis is also commented upon strongly, and the pursuance of a similar course to the French and other European representatives is urged, upon the ground that as European governments do not recognize the confederacy their representatives should not be recognized.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 13TH—No news of battles yet. But we have a rumor of the burning of the fine government steamer R. E. Lee, chased by the blockaders. That makes two this week.

            Gen. Lee dispatched the President, yesterday, as follows:

            “Orange C. H., Nov. 12th.—For the last five days we have only received three pounds of corn per horse, from Richmond, per day. We depend on Richmond for corn. At this rate, the horses will die, and cannot do hard work. The enemy is very active, and we must be prepared for hard work any day.—R. E. LEE.”

            On the back of which the President indorsed: “Have the forage sent up in preference to anything else. The necessity is so absolute as to call for every possible exertion.—JEFFERSON DAVIS.”

            Perhaps this may rouse the department. Horses starving in the midst of corn-fields ready for gathering! Alas, what mismanagement!

I cut the following from the Dispatch :

            “FLOUR.—We heard yesterday of sales of flour at $110 per barrel. We do not, however, give this as the standard price; for, if the article was in market, we believe that even a higher figure would be reached. A few days since a load of flour was sent to an auction-house on Cary Street to be sold at auction. The proprietors of the house very properly declined to receive it, refusing to dispose of breadstuffs under the hammer, where men of money, and destitute of souls, would have an opportunity of buying it up and withdrawing it from market.

            “CORN-MEAL.—This article is bringing from $18 to $20 per bushel, and scarce at that.

            “COUNTRY PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.—We give the following

as the wholesale rates: Bacon, hoground, $2.75 to $3; lard, $2.25 to $2.30; butter, $3.75 to $4; eggs, $2 to $2.25 ; Irish potatoes, $7.50 to $8; sweet potatoes, $10.50 to $12; tallow candles, $4 per pound ; salt, 45 cents per pound.

            “GROCERIES.—Coffee—wholesale, $9 per pound, retail, $10; sugar, $2.85 to $3.25; sorghum molasses, wholesale, $10, and $14 to $15 at retail; rice, 30 to 35 cents.

            “LIQUORS.—Whisky, $55 to $70 per gallon, according to quality, apple brandy, $50; high proof rum, $50; French brandy, $80 to $100.

            “In the city markets fresh meats are worth $1.25 to $1.50 for beef and mutton, and $2 for pork; chickens, $6 to $8 per pair; ducks, $7 to $8 per pair; butter, $4.50 to $5 per pound; sweet potatoes, $2.50 per half peck; Irish potatoes, $2 per half peck.

            “LEATHER.—Sole leather, $6.50 to $7.50 per pound; upper leather, $7.50 to $8; harness leather, $5.50 to $6; hides are quoted at $2.50 to $2.75 for dry, and $1.50 for salted green; tanners’ oil, $4 to $5 per gallon.

            “TOBACCO.—Common article, not sound, $1 to $1.25; medium, pounds, dark, $1.30 to $2; good medium bright, $2 to $2.75; fine bright, $2 to $4; sweet 5’s and 10’s scarce and in demand, with an advance.”

            My friend Capt. Jackson Warner sent me, to-day, two bushels of meal at government price, $5 per bushel. The price in market is $20. Also nine pounds of good beef, and a shank—for which he charged nothing, it being part of a present to him from a butcher.

November 13, 1863, The New York Herald

            The Richmond papers of Wednesday have telegrams from Charleston to the day previous. Slow firing had been going on all day at Sumter. The two Monitors was then in action firing about thirty shots. Altogether, during the day, sixty rifle shots and twenty-five shells were fired, only seven of which missed. The Richmond Examiner admits the defeat of the rebels on the Rappahannock, in which Hokes’ and Hays’ brigades were captured.

            There is no important change in the Army of the Potomac. Our troops occupy the old battle field of Cedar Mountain. Immense trains of supplies from Alexandria are going to the front. The railroad is being pushed rapidly ahead, and will be opened to the Rapidan by Monday night. Yesterday afternoon the rebel guerillas attacked the camps occupied by the workmen at Nokesville, two and a half miles east of Catlett’s Station, burnt some of the shanties and carried off the contents of the others. A force of our troops were guarding a culvert not more than a quarter of a mile distant at the time. The rebels are strongly posted on the Rapidan.

            Some further developments with regard to the plot hatched in Canada to free the rebel prisoners on Johnson’s Island, in Lake Erie, have been made, which show that it wears a serious aspect. It appears that the Governor General of Canada has given notice through Lord Lyons to the Secretary of State of rebel plots hatched in the British provinces to deliver the prisoners on Johnson’s Island, in Lake Erie, and burn Buffalo and Ogdensburg. Adequate measures to defeat the enterprises have been promptly adopted.

            Mr. Stanton apprised the Mayor of Buffalo by telegraph yesterday of the details of the plot, and put him on his guard to protect the city against the approach of any steamboats or vessels with an unusual number of persons on board.

            In the late disastrous affair at Rodgersville, Tenn., the troops of General Burnside were completely overwhelmed by superior numbers. Five hundred men, four guns and thirty-six wagons fell into the hands of the enemy.

            A despatch from Cairo says – on the faith of a report from Eastport, Miss. – that General Lee now commands at Chattanooga; that General Bragg has been sent to Mobile, and that General Longstreet is in command in Virginia.

            By the arrival of the Bohemian at Father Point yesterday, we have three days later news from Europe. Some excitement existed in England in consequence of a rumor that the rebel rams would be taken out of the Mersey by force. Orders were at once sent to Plymouth to send a war vessel round to Liverpool. The iron-plated frigate Prince Consort, and a gunboat, proceeded to the Mersey, the latter lying opposite Mr. Laird yard ready to start at a moment’s notice. Advices from the West Indies report the rebel privateer Georgia off Falmouth, Jamaica, on the 13th ult. She was said to have captured a steamer the same evening. The London Morning Star states that the Emperor Napoleon has informed Mr. Dayton that the authority for the construction of the rebel iron-clads in French ports had been withdrawn. This accords with the statement of Mr. Seward the other day which appeared in these columns.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 12TH.—No accounts of any fighting, but plenty of battles looked for.

            A. A. Little writes to the Secretary of War from Fredericksburg, that the attempt to remove the iron from the Aquia Railroad by the government having failed, now is the time for private enterprise to effect it. If the Secretary “will say the word,” it can be done. He says the iron is worth “millions, its weight in gold!” Will Mr. Seddon let it be saved? Yes, indeed.

            Mr. Heyliger, agent at Nassau, writes on the 3d instant (just a week ago), that he is shipping bacon by every steamer (three or four per week), leather, percussion caps, and a large amount of quartermaster’s stores. But the supply of lead and saltpeter is exhausted, and he hopes the agents in Europe will soon send more. About one in every four steamers is captured by the enemy. We can afford that.

            The President sent over to-day, for the perusal of the Secretary of War, a long letter from Gen. Howell Cobb, dated at Atlanta, on the 7th instant. He had just returned from a visit to Bragg’s army, and reports that there is a better feeling among the officers for Gen. Bragg, who is regaining their confidence. However, he says it is to be wished that more cordiality subsisted between Generals Bragg and ______, his _______ in command. He thinks Generals B_____ and C_____ might be relieved without detriment to the service, if they cannot be reconciled to Bragg. He hints at some important movement, and suggests co-operation from Virginia by a demonstration in East Tennessee.

            It is generally believed that France has followed the example of England, by seizing our rams. Thus the whole world seems combined against us. And Mr. Seward has made a speech, breathing fire and destruction unless we submit to Lincoln as our President. He says he was fairly elected President for four years of the whole United States, and there can be no peace until he is President of all the States, to which he is justly entitled. A war for the President!

November 12, 1863, The New York Herald

            There is no change in the position of the Army of the Potomac. A reconnoissance of General Buford through Culpepper and towards the Rapidan resulted in the discovery that no large force of the enemy are now north of that river, although guerillas constantly harass our troops. It has been ascertained that on Saturday the largest portions of Hill’s and Ewell’s forces were posted en echelon on the Rappahannock, the right resting on Kelly’s Ford and the left on the Aesthanis river, from which they were forced to retreat precipitately. General Meade’s official report of the affairs at Kelly’s Ford and Rappahannock Station is published today. The eight battle flags captured by Colonel Upton at the latter point, while in command of the Fifth and Sixth Maine, the Fifth Wisconsin and his own regiment, the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, were presented by that gallant officer to General Meade on Tuesday evening. The General made a happy speech on receiving the flags, and handsomely congratulated the soldiers on their bravery. He has issued a congratulatory order upon the recent successes in driving the enemy from the Rappahannock to his intrenchments behind the Rapidan. Generals French, Sedgwick, Russell and Colonel de Trobriand are of course specially mentioned.

            It appears that the recent attack on General Burnside’s outposts, in which six hundred of his men and four cannon were captured by the rebels, occurred at Rodgersville, Hawkins county, Tenn., fifteen miles from Knoxville, and situated at the termination of the branch of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad. This fact is communicated in a despatch from General Burnside himself, in which he says that his main army is in an impregnable position and in good spirits, awaiting the orders of General Grant.

            A curious story was afloat yesterday that two […..] looking” vessels were seen on Lake Erie on Tuesday, hovering about Sandusky Bay, and were supposed to be privateers from the Canada side of the lake, intent on aiding and abetting the great Ohio conspiracy, by releasing the rebel prisoners on Johnston’s Island, and committing sundry depredations upon the waters. The rumor, however, is not traceable to any reliable source.

            Despatches from Memphis of the 8th report that the rebel General Richardson is committing serious depredations in the Southwest. He cut up the Memphis Railroad, a mile east of Salisbury, and the previous day cut the telegraph wires and burned three bridges. We learn from Cairo that the town of I-u-k-a was burned by the rebels after General Sherman’s troops had left that place.

by John Beauchamp Jones

NOVEMBER 11TH.—NO news. I saw, to-day, Gen. Lee’s letter of the 7th instant, simply announcing the capture of Hoke’s and Haye’s brigades. They were on the north side of the river, guarding the pont de tete. There is no excuse, no palliation. He said it was likely Meade’s entire army would cross. This had been sent by the Secretary to the President, who indorsed upon it as follows: “If it be possible to reinforce, it should be done promptly. Can any militia or local defense men be made available?—J. D.”

Gen. Whiting writes that he has refused to permit Mr. Crenshaw’s correspondence with Collie & Co. to pass uninspected, from a knowledge of the nature of previous correspondence seen by him.

The Northern papers state that Mr. Seward has authorized them to publish the fact that the French Government has seized the Confederate rams building in the ports of France.

I have written Custis Lee, the President’s aid, that but one alternative now remains: for the President, or some one else, to assume all power, temporarily, and crush the speculators. This I think is the only chance of independence. I may be mistaken—but we shall see.

Capt. Warner, who feeds the 13,000 prisoners here, when he has the means of doing so, says Col. Northrop, the Commissary, does not respond to his requisitions for meat. He fears the prisoners will take or destroy the city, and talks of sending his family out of it.

I condemned the reign of martial law in this city, in 1862, as it was not then necessary, and because its execution was intrusted to improper and obnoxious men. But now I am inclined to think it necessary not only here, but everywhere in the Confederacy. Many farmers refuse to get out their grain, or to sell their meat, because they say they have enough Confederate money! money for the redemption of which their last negro and last acre are responsible. So, if they be permitted to maintain this position, neither the army nor the non-producing class of the population can be subsisted; and, of course, all classes must be involved in a common ruin. A Dictator might prevent the people from destroying themselves, and it seems that nothing short of extreme measures can prevent it. But, again, suppose the Federal Government were to propose a sweeping amnesty, and exemption from confiscation to all who should subscribe to a reconstruction of the Union—and this, too, at a time of suffering and despondency—and so large a body were to embrace the terms as to render a prolongation of the war impracticable? What would the money the farmers now possess be worth? And what would become of the slaves, especially in Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri?

November 11, 1863, The New York Herald

            The latest news from General Meade’s army reports no fighting on yesterday. Between six and seven hundred of the enemy were captured near Culpepper. Our pickets near Warrenton Junction were in sight of Mosby’s pickets all day yesterday, but no collision took place.

            General Buford’s cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy near Culpepper on Monday, and after a brief fight and charge through the town drove them before him. They finally retired beyond the Rapidan. Our lines now extend from Culpepper to the Rapidan.

            Official despatches recounting the late victory of Generals Averill and Duffie at Lewisburg, Western Virginia, have been received from Brigadier General Kelley.

            Despatches from Leavenworth, Kansas, yesterday, say that the rebels under Cooper and Shelby, having escaped from our troops, crossed the Arkansas river with a force of nine thousand men, and were then marching on General Blunt, who had only a force of one thousand eight hundred cavalry, who were acting as an escort to a heavy supply train bound for Fort Smith. General Blunt had reduced the number of his train, and was putting his force in a position to resist the enemy.

            The expression of opinion elicited at the Union meeting held in Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 30th ult., was unmistakably in favor of the cordial support of the United States government, the supremacy of which the resolutions adopted there pledged the people of Arkansas to uphold.

            Our correspondents at Chattanooga furnish some very interesting details today of the late battles in that vicinity, together with an official list of the casualties. The defences of Chattanooga are now perfect, and its vast importance as a military position is more manifest than ever.

            A despatch from Chattanooga yesterday says that refugees from the rebel army report General Bragg to be evacuating his position in front of Chattanooga and falling back to Rome or Atlanta. General Longstreet was said to be organizing a force for a raid on our line of communication at Bridgeport.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 10TH.—It is supposed our loss in the surprise on Saturday did not exceed 1500, killed, wounded, and taken. It is thought that a battle will occur immediately, if it be not already in progress.

            There is no news of moment from any quarter, except the loss of our steamer Cornubia, taken by the blockaders at Wilmington. She was laden with government stores. For months nearly all ships with arms or ammunition have been taken, while those having merchandise on board get in safely. These bribe their way through!

            Col. Gorgas gave notice to-day that our supply of saltpeter will be exhausted in January, unless we can import a large quantity.

            Another blue day!

November 10, 1863, The New York Herald

            Heavy firing was heard on Sunday and yesterday in the direction of Culpepper, towards the junction of the Rapidan and Rappahannock. It was thought that it might have proceeded from the light artillery of General Buford’s corps in collision with the enemy.

            The Third army corps, followed by the First and Second in order, pursued the enemy on Sunday morning, and about noon came up with a strong force of cavalry and light artillery at Brandy Station. They charged upon them, and drove them from their position, following them up leisurely until dark, when they had forced them up the railroad two miles beyond the station. The country round about was scoured by our troops, along the river and towards Stevensburg, and evidences were found that the enemy contemplated making their winter quarters there. General Lee’s headquarters were found to be a mile north of Brandy Station.

            Large numbers of prisoners taken at Rappahannock Station and Kelly’s Ford have arrived at the Old Capitol prison in Washington. Many of them have been sent to Point Lookout. Among those prisoners are one hundred and twenty-five officers. They represent that but few of their companions retreated across the river, and their general commanding had barely time to escape on his horse.

            General Kilpatrick is said to have had a fight with the enemy near Stevensburg on Saturday night. The particulars, however, were not known.

            News from Western Virginia contains an account of the defeat of the rebel forces under “Mudwall” Jackson, on Friday and Saturday, by Generals Averill and Dufie, in the valley east of the Greenbrier Mountains. The rebels were driven through the town of Lewisburg, which our forces now hold. The enemy abandoned all their supplies, guns and colors, and fled precipitately, leaving their dead and wounded behind.

            It is reported in Washington that two of the most advanced positions of General Burnside’s army have been assailed and captured by the enemy, but we have received no confirmation of the statement. It is said by a Washington paper that General Grant has telegraphed to that effect.

            There is nothing new from Charleston or the Southwest.

            Despatches from rebel sources at Atlanta say that a heavy force of Union troops had reached Tuscaloosa, on the way to Selma, Alabama, by the Tupelo route, over which General Bragg’s army came last summer.

            General Magruder has notified all the state troops in Texas to hasten forward to Houston without delay, to resist the “Yankee invasion approaching from Berwick Bay.”

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 9TH.—The President returned Saturday evening, looking pretty well. Yesterday, Sunday, he was under the necestity of reading a dispatch from Gen. Lee, announcing the surprise and capture of two brigades on the Rappahannock!

            This is a dark and gloomy day, spitting snow; while not a few are despondent from the recent disasters to our arms. It is supposed that we lost 3000 or 4000 men on Saturday. A day or two before, Gen. Echols had his brigade cut up at Lewisburg! Per contra, Brig.-Gen. W. E. Jones captured, on Saturday, at Rogerville, 850 prisoners, 4 pieces of artillery, 2 stands of colors, 60 wagons, and 1000 animals. Our loss, 2 killed and 8 wounded. So reads a dispatch from “R. Ransom, Major-Gen.”

            There is some excitement in the city now, perhaps more than at any former period. The disaster to the “Old Guard” has put in the mouths of the croakers the famous words of Napoleon at Waterloo: “Sauce qui peat.” We have out our last reserves, and the enemy still advances. They are advancing on North Carolina, and there was some danger of the President being intercepted at Weldon. Thousands believe that Gen. Bragg is about to retire from before Grant’s army at Chattanooga. And to-day bread is selling at 50 cents per loaf—small loaf!

            And now the Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, is “allowing” men to pass to Maryland, through our lines. First, is a Rev. Mr. A. S. Sloat, a chaplain in the army. He was degraded for some offense by his own church, and his wife and children having preceded him (all being Northern born), as stated in his letter on file, he is allowed a passport to follow them. Recommended by Mr. S. R. Tucker. Second, Mr. J. L. White and Mr. Forrester are “allowed” passports to go to Maryland for ordnance stores. Recommended by Col. Gorgas. Third and lastly, “Tom Wash. Smith” is “allowed,” by the Assistant Secretary, to take fifteen boxes of tobacco to Maryland, and promises to bring back “medical stores.” Recommended by B. G. Williams, one of Gen. Winder’s detectives, and by Capt. Winder, one of the general’s sons. They bring in stores, when they return, in saddle-bags, while whole cargoes are landed at Wilmington!

November 9, 1863, The New York Herald

            The Army of the Potomac, after a long period of ease, has commenced a forward movement, and its advance has been heralded with victory. The divisions of Generals French and Sedgwick met the enemy on the banks of the Rappahannock – the former at Kelly’s Ford and the latter at Rappahannock railroad crossing – on Saturday, and drove them across the river, capturing eighteen hundred of the rebels, four battle flags and two redoubts with a number of guns. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is reported by prisoners to be over five hundred. Our loss in all – killed, wounded and missing – is set down at from three hundred and fifty to four hundred. The Union troops are in pursuit of the enemy.

            Upon the lifting of the fog yesterday morning our forces commenced crossing the river, and found little or no opposition. They are pressing forward toward Culpepper. At four o’clock P.M. Sedgwick’s advance had reached Brandy Station. General Buford’s cavalry crossed at Sulphur Springs to cover the right flank several miles above Rappahannock Station, and Generals Gregg and Kilpatrick crossed below Kelly’s Ford to cover the left flank. No definite information of their operations had been received up to noon yesterday. Advices from the front are to the effect that General Kilpatrick occupied the city and heights of Fredericksburg on Saturday, and was in position to hold them until the infantry could reach him. It is probable that the army has already joined him, and is now intrenched on the south bank of the Rappahannock.

            The enemy, after their defeat in these two engagements, were so hotly pursued by our victorious forces that they threw themselves into the river in their efforts to escape, where some were drowned and many were killed by our infantry.

            There is hot work before the Army of the Potomac yet. The initiative in the new movement, however, is hopeful for the future.

            Despatches from Chattanooga to Saturday inform us that everything was then quiet, with the exception of a harmless fire from the rebel batteries on Lookout Mountain.

            From Memphis, of the same date, we learn that General Hatch has driven General Chalmers across the Tallahatchie river, punishing the latter’s forces severely. The rebel General Richardson, with a force reported at from 1,500 to 2,000, struck the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, six miles east of Salsbury, on Saturday morning, burning the bridgework, tearing up the track and destroying the telegraph.

            On the night of the 2d inst. a party of Union troops, under Captain Ferris, of the Independent Battalion, went in a small boat to Fort Wagner and crawled up the debris on the seaward side of the fort, where they had an opportunity to peep inside. Being discovered, however, they were received with a volley of musketry, and made a precipitate retreat to their boat, fortunately without losing a man. The fort is a mere ruin, but the small garrison inside the broken walls, and dismantled guns, the shattered casemates, and debris of all that once formed that proud fortification, still hold their ground manfully, although exposed to the constant fire of our batteries and Monitors.

            We have later news from New Orleans today, by the steamer Daniel Webster, which arrived here yesterday, with dates to the 29th. Political organizations, with a view to overthrow the present military rule in New Orleans by the unauthorized election of a State government, are gaining some headway. An address has been issued to the people, and the names of the candidates have been promulgated. Five thousand bales of cotton, which were said to be intended for shipment to Europe, the property in part of rebel owners, which had just arrived from Natchez, were seized by the Collector of Internal Revenue, but as nearly four thousand bales were claimed by loyal persons, they were given up, and the remaining portion was stored for the present.

            New Orleans papers of the 29th ultimo state that owing to the scarcity of breadstuffs and provisions, cotton was arriving there in considerable quantities. The sugar crop was very light, owing to the scarcity of labor and fuel.

            We publish in another column a remarkable address to the people of Arkansas, from Mr. Gantt, formerly a Congressman in rebeldom, and a brigadier general in the rebel army, but now a prisoner of war at Little Rock, in which he counsels submission to the Union arms, and denounces Jeff. Davis in unmeasured terms as a hypocrite and tyrant, and by no means the man for the occasion.

            Mr. Seward, upon his return to Washington, is said to have declared that the French government, urged by the representations of Mr. Dayton, our Minister, has arrested the six rebel rams lying at Nantes and Bordeaux.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 8TH.—At this late day the Secretary of War is informed by Col. Gorgas that, in consequence of the enemy’s possessing the coal mines in Tennessee, he shall not be able to supply orders for heavy shot, etc., for the defense of Charleston harbor, if the fleet of monitors were to pass the forts. Why, this has been daily looked for any time during the last three months! And information from the Western army indicates that only about one shell in twenty, furnished by Col. Gorgas, will explode. This reminds me of the doubts expressed by Gen. Cobb of the fitness of Col. G. for his position.

            This is a bleak November day, after some days of pleasant autumnal sunshine. I still gather a few tomatoes from the little garden; a bushel of green ones on the vines will never mature. The young turnips look well, and I hope there may be abundance of salad in the spring.

            Yesterday two tons of Northern anthracite coal in this city sold for $500 per ton, to a church! We hope for relief when Congress meets, a month hence; but what can Congress do? The money is hopelessly depreciated. Even victories and peace could not restore it to par.

November 8, 1863, The New York Herald

            A report reached Philadelphia yesterday by the steamer Salvor, which left Hilton Head on last Monday, the 2d. inst., that Fort Sumter had surrendered, that the Stars and Stripes were flying over the dismantled ramparts, and the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Pennsylvania regiment of Volunteers were then garrisoning the place. This news reached Hilton Head on Monday morning by the United States steamer Golden Gate. But as we have despatches from Charleston to the Richmond papers of the 5th and 6th inst. which entirely upset the probability of such a story, it is undoubtedly a fiction. For example, a despatch from Charleston on the 4th, two days after the Salvor left Hilton Head, says that the bombardment of Fort Sumter was going on furiously at that time, and that Jefferson Davis had visited James Island, Forts Pemberton and Johnson and all the shore batteries. Another despatch, dated the day following, also says that there was slow firing on that day from the enemy Monitors and their land batteries; that five hundred and eighty-seven shots had been fired in the last twenty-four hours; that another iron-clad had joined the fleet, and that the Monitors remained quiet, while, at the same time, the Monitors were than taking in ammunition…

            From the same source as the above, a rumor found circulation yesterday that the rebels were evacuating Richmond. The same credit, however, may be attached to it.

            The Army of the Potomac is evidently on the qui vive for an important movement. General Meade has already changed his headquarters. It was reported yesterday that the enemy were crossing the Rapidan in haste, it was supposed with a view to reoccupy Fredericksburg, under the impression that General Meade was contemplating a move in that direction.

            We have late and important news from Tennessee by way of rebel telegrams to Richmond, which appear in the papers of the 6th instant. They came from Atlanta to Richmond, under date of the 4th instant, and state that the Union troops which occupy Raccoon Valley have been reinforced, and shell the rebels incessantly; that our pontoons have been carried away by the flood in the Tennessee river; that our advance has reached Florence and that our forces are committing terrible depredations near Huntsville. The telegrams admit that we have gained important advantages within the preceding forty-eight hours, and that unless the movements of our troops are counteracted, the question of subsisting the Union army at Chattanooga will be placed beyond doubt.

            Later advices from Arkansas state that General Steel now occupies Arkadelphia, the recent headquarters of the rebel General Price, and over seven hundred Arkansians from Yell county have offered themselves as volunteers to General Steele.

            The arrival of the steamer Evening Star, from New Orleans on the 31st ult., puts us in possession of much important news from that district, which will be found embodied in the letters of our correspondents. An active campaign is now in progress in the Department of the Gulf. The naval expedition under General Banks was at Southwest Pass on the 26th ult., with the Commanding General on board the flagship McClellan. The fleet consists of sixteen steamships and a large number of schooners and brigs as tenders. Three ships of war – the Monogahela, Owasco and Virginia – accompany the squadron. General Dana issued a stirring address to the troops of his command on their embarkation, in which he says: –

            “The people where we go shall feel that we are their friends, and be encouraged to […..] in under our battle tattered colors and fight the fight of freedom; and the troops of any nation we may meet shall burst into a shout of admiration when they shall see the citizen soldiers of armed America in […..] “to and occupy”their own, and to tread out the dregs of the rebellion.”

            On the 27th the order for sailing was given, and the whole fleet sailed out in two lines, each steamer half a mile apart, presenting a splendid spectacle.

            Our correspondence from Key West today is very interesting, recounting the capture of the blockade runner Martha Jane, with a large cargo of cotton, and the British steamer Mail, which was supposed to have been burned by the rebels. An expedition to Tampa Bay resulted in the destruction of the rebel vessels.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 7TH.—No news from any quarter, except the continued bombardment of the debris of Fort Sumter, and the killing and wounding of some 10 or 12 men there—but that is not news.

            There is a pause,—a sort of holding of the breath of the people, as if some event of note was expected. The prices of food and fuel are far above the purses of all except speculators, and an explosion must happen soon, of some sort. People will not perish for food in the midst of plenty.

            The press, a portion rather, praises the President for his carefulness in making a tour of the armies and ports south of us; but as he retained Gen. Bragg in command, how soon the tune would change if Bragg should meet with disaster!

            Night before last some of the prisoners on Belle Isle (we have some 13,000 altogether in and near the city) were overheard by the guard to say they must escape immediately, or else it would be too late, as cannon were to be planted around them. Our authorities took the alarm, and increasing the guard, did plant cannon so as to rake them in every direction in the event of their breaking out of their prison bounds. It is suspected that this was a preconcerted affair, as a full division of the enemy has been sent to Newport News, probably to co-operate with the prisoners. Any attempt now must fail, unless, indeed, there should be a large number of Union sympathizers in the city to assist them.

            Several weeks ago it was predicted in the Northern papers that Richmond would be taken in some mysterious manner, and that there was a plan for the prisoners of war to seize it by a coup de main, may be probable. But the scheme was impracticable. What may be the condition of the city, and the action of the people a few weeks hence, if relief be not afforded by the government, I am afraid to conjecture. The croakers say five millions of “greenbacks,” and cargoes of provisions, might be more effectual in expelling the Confederate Government and restoring that of the United States than all of Meade’s army. And this, too, they allege, when there is abundance in the country. Many seem to place no value on the only money we have in circulation. The grasping farmers refuse to get out their grain, saying they have as much Confederate money as they want, and the government seems determined to permit the perishable tithes to perish rather than allow the famishing people to consume them. Surely, say the croakers, such a policy cannot achieve independence. No, it must be speedily changed, or else worse calamities await us than any we have experienced.

            Old Gen. Duff Green, after making many fortunes and losing them, it seems, is to die poor at last, and he is now nearly eighty years old. Last year he made a large contract to furnish the government with iron, his works being in Tennessee, whence he has been driven by the enemy. And now he says the depreciation of the money will make the cost of producing the iron twice as much as he will get for it. And worse, he has bought a large lot of sugar which would have realized a large profit, but the commissary agent has impressed it, and will not pay him cost for it. All he can do is to get a small portion of it back for the consumption of his employees, provided he returns to Tennessee and fulfills his iron contract.

November 7, 1863, The New York Herald

            There is nothing later from the Army of the Potomac. Perfect quietude appears to reign, with the exception of the guerilla raids which disturb the outposts and the occasional reconnoissances which occupy the attention of our cavalry.

            From Charleston we have nothing later than the news up to Sunday night, which we gave to our readers yesterday.

            The news from East Tennessee is still exciting, and shows that the rebels are making desultory attempts to maintain their position at some points. A despatch from Knoxville yesterday reports that General Sanders, with his cavalry corps, overtook a rebel regiment at Mettey’s Ford, on the Little Tennessee river, on Thursday; but a vigorous charge made by Colonel Adams drove them across the river. Between forty and fifty of them were drowned or killed, and forty were captured. All their arms were lost. The prisoners reported that there are fourteen rebel brigades beyond the Tennessee, under Generals Cheatham, Forrest, Vaughan and Stevenson.

            The expedition of General Burnside’s army to the eastern corner of the State of Tennessee appears to be completed, and the people are reported as exhibiting the most satisfactory signs of loyalty. General Burnside, with his accustomed activity, is again on the march – in what direction will soon appear. We have further accounts, of a highly interesting character, of the late fight at Blue Springs, Tenn., furnished by our army correspondent, which will be found in another column.

            There is nothing of importance reported from General Grant’s army yesterday; but our correspondent in Lookout valley furnishes us with further particulars of the sharp engagement near Wauhatchie, between General Geary’s command and a brigade of the enemy, when the latter undertook to surprise our forces at midnight. The battle was fought with desperate energy on both sides, but the rebels were defeated, and retired, leaving their killed and wounded on the field. Among the rebel prisoners are officers and men belonging to several South Carolina regiments. Our loss is about two hundred in killed and wounded. Among the former we regret to find the name of Captain Geary, son of the Commanding General, and a gallant young artillery officer. A complete list of the casualties in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York regiment will also be found in our correspondence.

            We give an interesting account of the defences of Wilmington, N.C., on Cape Fear river, with a map showing the different points at which the rebels have erected fortifications.

            NOVEMBER 6TH.—The President was to have returned to-day, but did not.

            Various conjectures are made as to the object of his month’s tour of speech-making. Some deem the cause very desperate, others that the President’s condition is desperate. If the first, they say his purpose was to reanimate the people by his presence, and to cultivate a renewal of lost friendships, and hence he lingered longest at Charleston, in social intercourse with Gens. Beauregard and Wise, who had become estranged. The latter is the oldest brigadier-general in the service, and still they have failed to promote him. The President’s power is felt in the army, and his patronage being almost unlimited, it was natural, they say, that he should be received with cheers. From a lieutenant up to a general, all are dependent on his favor for promotion. At all events, his austerity and inflexibility have been relaxed, and he has made popular speeches wherever he has gone. I hope good fruits will ensue. But he returns to find the people here almost in a state of starvation in the midst of plenty, brought on by the knavery or incompetency of government agents.

            What is remarkable is the estimate of $50,000,000 by the Commissary-General for the purchase of sugar, exclusively for the sick and wounded in hospitals, the soldiers in the field being refused any more. One-fourth of the whole estimates ($210,000,000) for sugar, and not an ounce to go to the army! And this, too, when it is understood nearly all the sugar in the Confederacy has been impressed by his agents at from 50 cts. to $1 per pound. It is worth $2.50 now, and it is apprehended that a large proportion of the fifty millions asked for will go into the pockets of commissaries. No account whatever is taken of the tithe in the Commissary-General’s estimates.

            Flour sold at $125 per barrel to-day. There must be an explosion of some sort soon. Certainly Confederate notes have fallen very low indeed.

            Another solution of the President’s tour, by the uncharitable or suspicious, is a preparatory or a preliminary move to assuming all power in his own hands. They say the people are reduced by distress to such an extremity that, if he will only order rations to be served them, they will not quarrel with him if he assumes dictatorial powers. Legislation has failed to furnish remedies for the evils afflicting the community; and, really, if the evils themselves were not imputed to the government, and the President were ambitious—and is he not?—he might now, perhaps, play a successful Cromwellian rôle. But can he control the State governments? The government of this State seems like potter’s clay in his hands, the Legislature being as subservient as the Congresses have hitherto been. It is observed—independence first—then let Cromwells or Washingtons come.

            My wife, to-day, presented me with an excellent under-shirt, made of one of her dilapidated petticoats. A new shirt would cost $30. Common brown cotton (and in a cotton country!) sells for $3 per yard. I saw common cotton shirts sell at auction to-day for $40 per pair. Beef is $1.50 per pound, and pork $2. But these prices are paid in Confederate Treasury notes, and they mark the rapid depreciation of paper money.

            The enemy, however, in spreading over the Southern territory, are not completing the work of subjugation. It would require a million of bayonets to keep this people in subjection, and the indications are that the United States will have difficulty in keeping their great armies up. It is a question of endurance.

November 6, 1863, The New York Herald

            There is but little news yet of moment from Gen. Meade’s army. The guerillas seem to gain boldness every day. On the night before last they captured a Major of our army within two miles of our headquarters on the road to Auburn, and the same band seized a quartermaster and four men almost within sight of headquarters. A part of them made a raid upon Edsall Station, five miles from Alexandria, on the same day, and carried off several horses and mules. Several parties of rebel cavalry dashed through the lines of our left, and committed depredations in Prince William county.

            The division of General Kilpatrick’s cavalry went out on a reconnoissance on Wednesday towards Falmouth, and when near Hartwood Church they fell in with two regiments of South Carolina and Georgia cavalry, who ensconced themselves behind a hill. They were flanked and dislodged, and after half an hour’s skirmishing were driven across the Rappahannock, with a loss of three killed and several thousand wounded. The reconnoissance resulted in discovering no large force of the enemy in that region.

            The rebels made another attack on the Colliersville, Memphis and Charleston Railroad on the 3d instant, and were repulsed. The rebel General Geary and thirteen of his staff were captured.

            The news from East Tennessee is important. A despatch from Knoxville, dated the 4th instant, says that East Tennessee is once more clear of rebels, with the exception of guerillas, who hover around our wagon trains and infest our mail routes above. The fight at Roan Spring resulted in the rout of the rebels. We lost seventeen killed and fifty-two wounded. Colonel Garrard pursued the rebels beyond Kingsport.

            A despatch from Nashville, dated on the 4th, (confirmed by an official from General Thomas to General Halleck), reports that on the day previous, Major Fitzgibbon, of the Fourteenth Michigan cavalry, with one hundred and twenty men, met at Lawrenceburg, thirty-five miles beyond Columbus, the combined forces of the rebels Cook, Kirk, Williams and Scott, numbering four hundred cavalry, and after four very desperate charges, resulting in a loss to the rebels of eight killed, seven wounded and twenty-four prisoners, drove them before him without any loss on his side, except three wounded. General Bragg’s forage train, sent up the Lookout valley, in front of his position, was captured. The train was sent to camp.

            The full details of the battle of Lookout Mountain – the midnight expedition of General Hooker and its happy results – are given by our correspondents today, together with a map of the scene of action.

            Advices from Arkansas by way of Memphis and Cairo, state that General Marmaduke attacked Pine Bluffs on the 28th ult. with three thousand men, and was repulsed by the garrison, which numbered only seven hundred men, under Colonel Clayton. He lost twelve killed and fifteen wounded. General Price’s forces are said to have retreated beyond Red river, leaving only his cavalry at Arkadelphia.

            The rebel division of General Loring, consisting of eight thousand infantry, is now lying around Canton, Miss., while three thousand men are said to be guarding Mobile and the railroads running to the South.

by John Beauchamp Jones

            NOVEMBER 5TH.—The President has not yet returned, but was inspecting the defenses of Charleston. The Legislature has adjourned without fixing a maximum of prices. Every night troops from Lee’s army are passing through the city. Probably they have been ordered to Bragg.

            Yesterday flour sold at auction at $100 per barrel; to-day it sells for $120! There are 40,000 bushels of sweet potatoes, taken by the government as tithes, rotting at the depots between Richmond and Wilmington. If the government would wake up, and have them brought hither and sold, the people would be relieved, and flour and meal would decline in price. But a lethargy has seized upon the government, and no one may foretell the consequences of official supineness.

            The enemy at Chattanooga have got an advantageous position on Bragg’s left, and there is much apprehension that our army will lose the ground gained by the late victory.

            The Commissary-General (Northrop) has sent in his estimate for the ensuing year, $210,000,000, of which $50,000,000 is for sugar, exclusively for the hospitals. It no longer forms part of the rations. He estimates for 400,000 men, and takes no account of the tithes, or tax in kind, nor is it apparent that he estimates for the army beyond the Mississippi.

            A communication was received to-day from Gen. Meredith, the Federal Commissioner of Exchange, inclosing a letter from Gov. Todd and Gen. Mason, as well as copies of letters from some of Morgan’s officers, stating that the heads of Morgan and his men are not shaved, and that they are well fed and comfortable.

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