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.

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 [continue reading…]

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. [continue reading…]

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.

April 28th. Commences with pleasant weather; during this morning the Albatross and Switzerland got under way and entered the mouth of Red River, going up that stream a short distance on a reconnoissance; returned during the afternoon without having seen the enemy, or any batteries erected by him to prove that he was in the vicinity. A rumor is afloat to-day among the ship’s company that Charleston has lately been attacked by our army and naval forces and captured. We have nothing definite, though, in regard to the truth of such report; still it has its believers, and they are much excited over it. I have no doubt but that ere long we will have something happen that will cause more excitement and rejoicing than the fall of Charleston; I mean the surrender of Vicksburg and Port Hudson. The weather is cool and pleasant, the rain of yesterday having purified the atmosphere to a great extent.

28th. Up at daylight, breakfasted, fed and started on at 6. Gen. Carter passed by. Went but two miles and waited an hour or two. River not fordable. Returned and bivouacked on the ground of the night before. Went out foraging corn, hay, and cornbread and milk. Saw two idiots. Rained again. Got somewhat wet. Two of the 2nd O. V. C. companies on picket.

Tuesday, 28th–It cleared off this morning and we left Richmond at 10 o’clock, marched nine miles and went into camp on Holmes’s plantation, about eight miles from the Mississippi and due west from Vicksburg. We took possession of all the vacant houses and sheds on the plantation. The roads are very muddy and many of the trains got stalled. Some of the wagons loaded with ammunition sank down to the axles and much time and labor were consumed in getting them out. There was some fighting at Grand Gulf today.

Tuesday, 28th.—Started on picket last night at 5 o’clock; went to five-mile bridge. Reported Yankees are trying to cross river near Warrenton. Some skirmishing.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

A Good Sensible Talk.

April 28. I was out in the country yesterday, doing picket duty, and fell in with an old gentleman with whom I had a good sensible talk. He was an intelligent, well appearing man, who said he was a farmer, or had been one until the breaking out of the war. He owns a plantation just outside our lines, but is not permitted to go into town. He is allowed to purchase in small quantities such articles as he may need by sending in his negro man or getting the boys to bring them out. He said at the commencement of the secession movement, he and all this part of the state, in fact nearly all of the state, was opposed to it, and in two state conventions, to both of which he was a delegate, the ordinance of secession was rejected, and not until after South Carolina on one side and Virginia on the other had gone out was the ordinance of secession passed.

He said: “Situated as we were we could not remain neutral, and although opposed to it from the beginning and all the time even after the war commenced and all our young men had gone into the army, it was but natural that I should sympathize with my own people.”

“Certainly,” I replied, “but have you any hopes of the ultimate success of the Confederacy?” [continue reading…]

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.

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

FROM CHATTANOOGA.

CHATTANOOGA, April 27. – Nashville files of the 21st instant have been received. The Cumberland River has fallen forty inches on Harpeth Shoals. Col. RELBURN, of the 2d Iowa Cavalry, has been appointed Inspector of Cavalry for the Army of the Cumberland. General MINTY commands all the cavalry in ROSECRANS’ army. A Washington telegram of the 20th states, on the authority of Ex-Governor HICKS, that a secret organization has been unearthed in Maryland, the members of which were sworn to join the Confederates on the first favorable opportunity. A St. Louis telegram says that 3000 rebels attacked Fayetteville, Ark., on the 18th. The Federal loss in the affair was 5 killed and 17 wounded. The Yankee official report of the battle of Murfreesboro’ states the number of their killed and wounded in that action to have been 19,340. The Captain of General ROSECRANS’ body-guard has deserted and gone home.

Hon. WASHINGTON BARROW arrived on Saturday and took rooms at the Crutchfield House.

FROM BRAGG’S ARMY.

TULLAHOMA, April 27. – WHEELER’S command has returned to McMinnville. The enemy’s pickets are near Tuscumbia. All is quiet in front.

(In addition to the above telegrams, we have received a quantity of the usual unintelligible gibberish from Jackson, Miss., which we forbear to print. – MERCURY)

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

From a gentleman of St. Augustine, Florida, who, with his family, was taken to Beaufort by the Yankees, the Savannah Republican gathers the following information of the situation of affairs in Beaufort up to last Saturday:

There are at Beaufort three regiments of whites and two of blacks, all of which, were encamped near the town. There are no gunboats at the town or nearer than Hilton Head. The iron-clads are still at the latter place undergoing repairs. The Yankees manifest great disappointment at the result at Charleston, and severe, in their bitterness, that the place shall yet be taken, even at the cost of their last man. The privates of the army, though, are thoroughly disgusted with the war and anxious to see it closed on any terms. Our informant heard them speaking freely of their loss on the iron-clads, which they said was very heavy. The negros make but trifling soldiers; they unvariably run in a fight and often shoot each other at the posts through awkwardness or mistake. At Jacksonville, after the first fire they came running back into the town at a long trot, and were half frightened out of their wits. Some twenty of them were killed in the engagement with Finegan’s men.

Beaufort now stands on a common, all the fences and out-door improvements having been destroyed together with the ornamental growth of the place. It is kept quite clean and in a wholesome condition. The houses are occupied by both whites and blacks, many of the latter being installed in the stately halls, once the seat of fashion and refinement.

April 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The healthy influence of the Tax Bill, which has just become a law, is already making itself felt in the provision market. Since the leading features of the tax have obtained publicity, the decline of prices, in flour, rice and other articles of food, has been steady and unmistakable. A variety of reasons are given to account for the fall; some attributing it to the sudden contraction of the currency by the recent funding of so many millions of our redundant currency in Confederate bonds; and others alleging as a cause, the restrictions lately imposed upon inter-State shipments for the purposes of speculation. Both these circumstances, doubtless, have contributed, in a measure, to bring about the reduction of prices; but the agency that has been mainly instrumental in effecting the welcome change is, in fact, the new Confederate tax.

At no time, we feel convinced, has there existed any real scarcity of food in the Southern States. But in every community, besides and distinct from the speculators and extortioners, there have been timid capitalists, who, investing their funds in an accumulation of provisions, and refusing to sell, rather with a view to security than profit, have virtually withdrawn from the market a very large proportion of its natural supplies. An artificial scarcity has thus been produced, while, in truth, there was abundance in the land.

But during the last three weeks, prices have reached their acme, and there is reason to believe that the decline which has begun is not yet ended. The new wheat and corn crops promise to be the heaviest ever known in the South, and will, ere long, be pressing into the market. The policy of importing provisions in large quantities has already been inaugurated, the well known Charleston firm, whose enterprise and tact has already, in other respects, conferred incalculable benefits upon the country, taking the lead in this last and most important development of the blockade trade. With the prospect of this early and active competition in the market, and with the certainty of the heavy tax upon hoarded produce which must be paid early in the summer, it is not strange that holders should everywhere be cautiously relaxing their grasp upon their accumulated supplies. Nor need we be surprised to find that, as those supplies, so long withheld, are wisely yielded to the demand, there occurs such a tumble in the price of food, as will add new nerve to the arms of our soldiers in the field, and send joy and thankfulness to the hearts of the whole people.

April 28, 1863, Natchez Daily Courier

It seems that some five or six other ladies were arrested with the daughter of Gen. Battle.   The Winchester Bulletin says they were arrested for “passing the Federal lines without authority,” and after a few day’s imprisonment at Nashville, were sent up North to Camp Chase.   The order arresting them, stated that they were to be imprisoned for the war.   We have already noticed their arrival at Camp Chase.   Those of our officers and men who have been captives in this bastile, only can form a correct estimate of the horrible privations these ladies will be subjected to.

April 28, 1863, The New York Herald

Everything was quiet in General Hooker’s army yesterday; but there were rumors afloat that a movement was about to be made, and that a collision with the enemy was not very improbable. Mr. Seward, together with the Prussian and Swedish Ministers, accompanied by a number of ladies, attended a review of the army yesterday, and proceeded from thence to Fortress Monroe.

The news from Tennessee today is important and interesting. The Texan Rangers of General Van Dorn’s Legion, were attacked yesterday morning at daybreak, eight miles out from Franklin, Tenn., by General Gordon Granger’s cavalry, 700 strong, under Colonel Watkins, of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry. The enemy were surrounded and defeated. Nearly two hundred prisoners were taken. Among them was Colonel Brooks, commandant of the rebel camp, and several officers. The camp and equipages of the enemy were destroyed, and about three hundred horses and mules were captured.

A startling rumor prevailed in Nashville and Murfreesboro yesterday, that the rebel Gen. Bragg had been shot dead by Gen. J.C. Breckinridge, in a recontre at Tullahoma. It was known that a hostile feeling had existed between them for some time. Difficulties had been existing for a long while, and this termination of the quarrel, should the report prove true, need not create any surprise.

The latest news from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, states that the loss of the rebels in the recent attack was about sixty killed and two hundred wounded. It was reported that General Marmaduke was in great danger of being cut off. A despatch, dated at the Cape yesterday, from Colonel Pomeroy, says: – ‘The enemy are moving off fast, and General McNeil was starting in pursuit. There is no doubt but General Vandeveer will strike him today.’ [continue reading…]