We Leave for Plymouth.

Newbern, Wednesday, March 18. After months of idleness in camp, at last comes a change. At 4 o’clock p. m., orders came to break camp, pick up our traps and be ready to march in half an hour. Dark found seven companies of us on board the steamer Escort, bound for Plymouth. Companies A, E and II were left to follow on another boat. The night being dark and stormy we waited till morning before leaving.

March 18th.—This evening, when leaving Richmond, we were most unexpectedly joined at the cars by our friend N. P. Dear child, we had not seen her since her father’s family left their home, some weeks before we left ours. Well do I remember the feeling of misery which I experienced at seeing them go off. We have all suffered since that time, but none of us can compare with them in that respect. They are living in desolated Fauquier. There they have buried their lovely little Kate, and N’s principal object in visiting this country now is to see the grave of her eldest brother, a victim of the war, and to see the lady at whose house he died, and who nursed him as though he had been her son. We enjoy her society exceedingly, and linger long over our reminiscences of the past, and of home scenes. Sadly enough do we talk, but there is a fascination about it which is irresistible. It seems marvellous that, in the chances and changes of war, so many of our “Seminary Hill” circle should be collected within the walls of this little cottage. Mrs. P. has once been, by permission of the military authorities, to visit her old home; she found it used as a bakery for the troops stationed around it. After passing through rooms which she scarcely recognized, and seeing furniture, once her own, broken and defaced, she found her way to her chamber. There was her wardrobe in its old place; she had left it packed with house-linen and other valuables, and advanced towards it, key in hand, for the purpose of removing some of its contents, when she was roughly told by a woman sitting in the room not to open that wardrobe, “there was nothing in it that belonged to her.” Oh, how my blood would have boiled, and how I should have opened it, unless put aside by force of arms, just to have peeped in to see if my own things were still there, and to take them if they were! But Mrs. P., more prudently, used a gentle remonstrance, and finding that nothing could be effected, and that rudeness would ensue, quietly left the room. We bide our time.

MARCH 18th.—I sent an extract from my Diary of yesterday to the Hon. T. H. Watts, Minister of Justice. I know not whether he will appreciate its importance; but he has professed friendship for me.

The city is in some excitement to-day, for early this morning we had intelligence of the crossing of the Rappahannock by a portion of the Federal army. During the day the division of Hood defiled through the streets, at a quick pace, marching back to Lee’s army. But the march of troops and the rumbling of artillery have ceased to be novel spectacles to our community. Some aged ladies ran out as they passed, calling the bronzed Texans their “children,” and distributed loaves of bread and other food among them. I never saw a merrier set than these brave soldiers, who have been through the “fire and the flood” numberless times. Some of them had three or four loaves on their bayonets.

Gen. Lee himself left early this morning, on an extra train, having been “caught napping” here, the first time. The enemy crossed the river yesterday.

But during the day a dispatch was received from Gen. J. E. B. Stuart (cavalry), stating that he had attacked the enemy on this side of the river, and beaten him back, forcing him to recross with loss. The particulars of the fight were not stated; but it is believed we lost a brigadier-general, killed.

March 18, 1863, The New York Herald

The news from the Army of the Potomac reports the enemy to be massed upon the right; but that all is at present quiet along the river.

It is currently believed in Washington that, although official documents have not yet been published to confirm the statements already given to the public relative to the capture of Yazoo City, the statements are nevertheless true. The rebel sympathizers in the national capital are said to have conceded the fact.

The Americans in Chile, South America, have raised a fund which they have contributed towards the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers of the United States.

March 18, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The presses of the United States still rely upon the superior physical power of the North to subject the Southern States. In their view, our conquest is a simple affair of arithmetic. As eighteen is greater than eight, therefore eighteen millions of people must subdue eight. They ignore all moral influences. They ignore God. Material and sensual, they regard a struggle for liberty and independence as an affair of mechanics, in which a longer lever or a stronger pulley will lift the load. So corrupted are they by the prosperity which they wrung from the South, that they seem to have forgotten history – their own history, and the history of the people that are striving to subdue. FREDERICK the Great, with but five millions of inhabitants in Prussia, in a seven years’ war, beat back Austria, Russia and France combined – each of them being five times as great numerically as Prussia. In the Revolution of 1776 we were but two millions and a half of people, against the most powerful nation, by land and sea, at that time in Europe. Since this war began we have repulsed the Northern armies in every pitched battle, although they have had their own time for their preparations and superior numbers. Yet they still argue that, because they are numerically greater than we are, they must subdue us.

BONAPARTE very truly observed that the morale of an army is three-fourths of its strength. An army is not the mere bones, flesh and blood which compose it. It consists of men – with all the passions, feelings, and motives which actuate men. Men may enter an army simply to obtain bread, which is the case with one-half of the present army of the United States; and when brought into battle they will fight, perhaps, under circumstances, very bravely. Men may enter an army on a speculation of robbery. They want the country they invade either as a source of future gain or of present occupancy. A large portion of the United States army really believed, when they invaded the South, that they were only going down to select fat farms; another portion came to coerce us as their future tributaries. But there is one thing all robbers prefer to robbery – and that is life. In the game of robbery, there is a reasonable limit to all adventures. But what are these motives for conquering us, compared with those which must actuate the people of the Confederate States in defending themselves? The land invaded is their land. The property to be appropriated is their property. The homes [continue reading…]

March 18, 1863, Dallas Herald

We learn that the Indians are committing depredations constantly on our North Western frontier, in some instances killing as they go. A good many families are moving in from the frontier counties. A letter to the editor from Weatherford says “The Indians are doing more murdering and stealing on the frontier at this time than they have done in twelve months.”

March 17th. This morning at four o’clock we left our anchorage at the mouth of Red River, and proceeded up the Mississippi. We arrived off Natchez at six P. M. and brought ship to anchor. This is our fifth appearance at this place. As soon as we arrived our Admiral sent a boat on shore under a flag of truce, with a despatch to the Mayor, stating that if our ship was fired into during the night, that he would burn the city down. The citizens at this place are of the strongest kind of secesh. We have been able through their daily journals, to see the regard which they have for us; and we are well aware that if there were no restraint placed upon the people at this place, they would instantly resort to some means to destroy our vessels as they pass up and down, or at least would make some effort towards it.

Tuesday, 17th–The Third Brigade got orders to drill four hours today. Three transports went up the river today. The water in the lake is rapidly rising since the canal is cut through and our regimental camp along the edge of the lake will, in a few days, have to be moved to higher ground.

March 17th.

On dit the Yankees have gone back to Baton Rouge, hearing we had sixty thousand men coming down after them. I believe I am positively disappointed! I did want to see them soundly thrashed! The light we thought was another burning house was that of the Mississippi. They say the shrieks of the men when our hot shells fell among them, and after they were left by their companions to burn, were perfectly appalling.

Another letter from Lilly has distressed me beyond measure. She says the one chicken and two dozen eggs Miriam and I succeeded in buying from the negroes by prayers and entreaties, saved them from actual hunger; and for two days they had been living on one egg apiece and some cornbread and syrup. Great heavens! has it come to this? Nothing to be bought in that abominable place for love or money. Where the next meal comes from, nobody knows.

17th. Day passed very quietly, like others. Soon Camp Chase will be very pleasant, as soon as the sun comes out and dries up the mud. More orders to march, I believe. No arms yet. Some talk that we will be kept in the state to help enforce the coming draft. Boys would like to go at the “Crisis” again.

MARCH 17th.—On Saturday, the enemy’s lower Mississippi fleet attacked our batteries at Port Hudson. The result reported is that only one of their gunboats got past, and that in a damaged condition. The frigate Mississippi, one of the best war steamers of the United States, was burned, and the rest retired down the river, badly repulsed. We sustained no loss.

To-day, the Secretary of War sent in a paper indorsing Judge Meredith’s  opinion in regard to foreigners who have accepted service in our country,  viz., that they are liable to conscription. This is in the teeth of the decision of the Assistant Secretary, Judge Campbell, Col. Lay’s father-in-law, and upon which the bureau has been acting, although Gen. Rains, the  Superintendent, permitted it with reluctance, upon the assurance of Col. L.  that such was the will of the department. This business may produce an explosion.

I walked with Gen. Rains this afternoon in Capitol Square. He is annoyed at the action of Col. Lay in following the instructions of the Assistant Secretary of War in regard to foreigners. The decision had not the sanction of the  Secretary of War, Mr. Seddon. He thinks several thousand men may have been permitted to escape military service by it. He intended to lay Judge  Campbell’s decision before the President, but it disappeared very mysteriously from his desk. And to-day it reappeared just as mysteriously.  And, simultaneously, and quite as mysteriously, a paper appeared, signed by Mr. Seddon, Secretary of War, suggesting that the bureau act in conformity with Judge Meredith’s opinion, directly in the teeth of Mr.  Assistant Secretary Campbell’s decision! And it was dated March 13th, full four days before. What delayed it, and who brought it, no one seemed to know. Col. Lay suggested that it be sent back, with an indorsement that the  bureau had been already acting under the decision of Judge Campbell (just  the reverse of the opinion), Assistant Secretary of War, “by order of the  Secretary of War.”

To this Gen. R. demurred, and said the bureau would conform its action to  Mr. Seddon’s suggestions; and he charged a clerk to preserve that paper.  Col. L. grumbled awfully at Mr. Seddon’s off-hand decision, without mature reflection.

Gen. Stewart (of Maryland) was at the office a short time before, and advocated Mr. Seddon’s views; for he knew how many Marylanders would be embraced in the decision, as well as other foreigners.

Lieut.-Col. A. C. Jones, Assistant Adjutant-General, had, in the name of the bureau, notified Gen. Winder, this morning, that Marylanders, etc. were not liable to bear arms for the South after being in the service two years!

The general says he will have all the commandants of conscripts written to immediately; and that he will have an interview with the Secretary of War in relation to the matter.

Every man we can put in the field is demanded; and many fear we shall not have a sufficient number to oppose the overwhelming tide soon to be surging over the land. At such a crisis, and in consideration of all the circumstances attending this matter, involving the loss of so many men, one is naturally startled at Judge Campbell’s conduct.

March 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

COMPLETE REPULSE OF THE ENEMY’S FLEET.

A YANKEE STEAM SLOOP-OF-WAR BURNED TO THE WATER’S EDGE.

PORT HUDSON, March 15 – 3 a.m. – The bombardment of this place began at 2 p.m., yesterday, and was continued for three hours. The enemy fired slowly, and our batteries did not reply.

At 12 o’clock last night a most desperate engagement took place. The enemy endeavored to pass our batteries under cover of the darkness. For two hours the firing was terrific.

One gunboat succeeded in passing the batteries, in a damaged condition.

The United States sloop-of-war Mississippi was set on fire and burned to the water’s edge, just in front of our batteries.

One large vessel was completely riddled. Another was badly crippled, and, with the rest, was driven back.

At 2 o’clock this morning the enemy withdrew.

Our victory is complete and glorious. So far as known, there are no casualties on our side.

Our cavalry has brought in thirty-six men and one midshipman of the destroyed steamer [continue reading…]

March 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

While Mr. NILES has taken up the question of Navigation, we see that Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, has taken up that of Citizenship. The object of the one is to prevent the South being inundated after the war by a host of Yankee emigrants, possessed of the rights of citizenship, and exercising a baleful influence upon our institutions, domestic and political. The object of the other is to cut off the navigation privileges hitherto accorded to our Northern foes in the waters of the South, to compel all foreign nations trading with us to trade direct, and not through Yankees or British, and also to build up, as far as practicable, a shipping interest of our own. We regard both these subjects as of great importance to the future well-being of the Confederate States. We are pleased to see that there is a disposition to urge measures upon the consideration of the body. We trust the temporizing, dilatory disposition of Congress will give way to straightforward statesmanship, which has some view to the time which is coming. Action of this kind is absolutely necessary to our substantial independence and prosperity. It will exercise no influence upon the duration of the war. Our success in arms will best determine that question; and when the North is satisfied by experience, and has had enough of unsuccessful fighting, we will get our own terms. Until then, so far as their volition is concerned, we will get no peace. So, too, if the French Emperor is to end the struggle by raising the blockade, measures of the kind proposed by Messrs. MILES and CLAY to protect the South from Yankees would certainly not retard his operations in behalf of the laws of nations, justice, and the mutual interests of France and the Confederate States. On the contrary, they would indicate earnestness and sagacity in the secession of these States. We invite the Southern Press to the consideration of these great topics. Few subjects are more important in the settlement of our affairs.

March 17, 1863, The New York Herald

There is stirring news from the Southwest today, and although it may appear somewhat indistinct and mysterious in the shape it reaches us, is evidently based upon substantial facts.

A despatch was received in Washington yesterday from Admiral Porter, dated before Vicksburg on the 7th inst., stating that he had received the signal agree upon between him and Commander Smith, of the Yazoo expedition, to be fired as soon as the latter officer entered the Yazoo river, which signal was to be nine minute guns, and three guns afterwards in quick succession. A despatch from Vicksburg to Cincinnati yesterday says that the Yazoo Pass expedition has captured twenty-six steamboats, eighteen of which were destroyed. The gunboats have arrived above Haines’ Bluff and would soon commence the attack. Rumors were rife of the evacuation of Vicksburg, and it was supposed that the greater part of the rebel force would go to Chattanooga and endeavor to overwhelm General Rosecrans. General McClernand’s troops were compelled to embark for Milliken’s Bend, sixteen miles above Vicksburg, owing to high water. Recent operations at Lake Providence and elsewhere resulted in inundating more than one hundred miles of Louisiana territory, destroying millions of dollars worth of property. The rebel guerillas suffered fearfully by the flood. In fact, they were completely driven out. The same intelligence was received at Chicago. It is said that the authorities in Washington are confident of the success of our military movements in the West, and are in high spirits over the late news. The success of the Yazoo expedition, and possibly the evacuation of Vicksburg, may therefore receive confirmation any moment.

We are in receipt of Richmond papers from the 9th to the 13th instant. The rapid decrease of food in the South is creating the utmost solicitude. A resolution was offered on the 11th instant in the Congress of the Confederacy by Mr. Conrad, proposing terms of peace, and was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In effect it provides that […..] Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States do therefore resolve that they will cordially co-operate with the Executive in any measures it may adopt, consistent with the honor, the dignity and independence of these States, tending [continue reading…]

March 17, 1863, The New York Herald

From Cairo, Cincinnati, Chicago and other points we continue to receive very encouraging, though very meagre and mysterious, reports of the success of the Yazoo expedition and of the probable evacuation of Vicksburg by the rebels. Our latest despatches from the West inform us that our Yazoo gunboat squadron had successfully descended the river to Haines’ Bluff, near the mouth of the river; that in their descent they had captured twenty-six steamboats, eighteen of which were destroyed; that rumors were rife of the evacuation of Vicksburg, and that it was supposed that the greater part of the rebel force would go to Chattanooga and endeavor to overwhelm General Rosecrans.

We can trace none of these reports to an authentic source. We have nothing from general Grant or Admiral Porter tending to confirm them – except a despatch form the latter that the naval expedition has reached the Yazoo in safety – and yet we are inclined to the belief that they are substantially correct. We think it altogether probable that the danger, the necessities and the desperate game of the rebels may have brought them to the extremity of abandoning Vicksburg, in order to save their army at that place and its artillery and munitions of war, and in order to join that army with the army of Bragg in Tennessee, and to make a bold dash with an overwhelming force upon General Rosecrans before reinforcements can reach him from the army of General Grant. The ablest general of the rebels, Jo. Johnston, is their supreme in command in the Southwest. His peculiar strategy was effectively illustrated in the first battle of Bull Run. Abandoning temporarily the Shenandoah valley to General Patterson, it was this same Johnston who achieved the most important victory of the rebellion by bringing his whole army to a timely junction with that of Beauregard. Subsequently, at Shiloh, Sidney Johnston tried the same strategical combination, though not with the same success. Beauregard, in abandoning Corinth and in sending forward a portion of his troops to the relief of Richmond, and Stonewall Jackson, in slipping out of the valley of Virginia and in pushing forward to the Chickahominy, repeated on a larger scale, and more disastrously to our weakened army, the successful game of Manassas. With Jo. Johnston, therefore, the originator of this system of rebel warfare, in charge of the rebel armies of the Southwest, we think it altogether likely that he may have [continue reading…]

March 17, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

PANOLA, MISS., Match 14. – A gentleman direct from Coldwater says that the enemy’s force in the Yazoo consists of two formidable gunboats, the Chillicothe and De Kalb, two rams, with cotton defences, three gunboats not deemed formidable, three batteries, three hundred cavalry, and 10,000 infantry. Some boats not loaded accompany the expedition, it is thought for the purpose of stealing cotton. They left Panola with one day’s rations and plenty of meat, bread and other supplies. They rely upon the country for meat, which they are everywhere stealing.

A gentleman who witnessed the fight at Fort Pemberton says that our troops waded to their waists to get a chance at the enemy. The attacking fleet consists of six gunboats and rams, and an infantry force of from five to eighteen thousand. The enemy’s movements indicated a landing higher up the river, on the opposite bank. Our officers were preparing to frustrate the enemy at all points.

March 16th. This morning at five thirty got under way, and steamed up the river in charge of the pilot. At seven A. M. two men came on board, and reported themselves as belonging to the original crew of the Queen of the West, having escaped from her after her capture by the rebels, since which time they have been concealed in the woods. At nine A. M. weighed and started on up, weather having cleared up so as to be able to see our way. At eleven thirty A. M. brought ship to anchor off the mouth of Red River. It is quite evident that there are a number of the enemy’s gunboats up this river. This afternoon the ship’s company have been engaged at target practice.

Monday, 16th–The Eleventh Iowa turned their old Sibley tents over to the quartermaster and drew wedge tents in their stead. They finished cutting the levee today and let the water through from the river to the lake. The roar of the water rushing through the canal can be heard a mile.

16th. Theodore was over awhile after the morning work. Good visit, letter from home. After class in the evening played two games of chess with Chester. One draw game and beat him once.

MARCH 16th.—Gen. Hill is moving toward Newbern, N. C., and may attack the enemy there.

The weather continues dreadful—sleeting; and movements of armies must perforce be stayed. But the season of slaughter is approaching.

There was an ominous scantiness of supply in the market this morning, and the prices beyond most persons—mine among the rest.

Col. Lay got turkeys to-day from Raleigh; on Saturday partridges, by the Express Company. Fortunate man!

March 16, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

IMPORTANT FROM NORTH CAROLINA – ‘BETHEL’ HILL ADVANCING ON NEWBERN.

RALEIGH, March 15. – The Kinston correspondent of the State Journal says that Gen. D. H. HILL came upon the enemy outposts at Deep Gully, on the Trent Road, eight miles below and this side of Newbern, yesterday morning. The enemy’s force was four companies of infantry and one light battery. These became panic-stricken and fled across the stream, destroying the bridge. Gen. HILL had it quickly repaired and pushed on after the enemy. The General’s horse was twice struck with a minie ball.

A Yankee and a […..],’ who were captured, have reached Kinston. They report the enemy at Newbern 12,000 strong.

Gen. Hill is moving on Newbern.

FIGHTING ON THE TALLAHATCHIE RIVER.

JACKSON, March 14. – The following official despatch has been received from Gen. LORING:

‘FORT PEMBERTON, March 13 – 1 p.m.

‘There has been a terrific fire by the enemy, uninterrupted for four hours, from ten to sixteen heavy calibre gunboats, two heavy guns on land and one mortar. All their guns from the boats except one have now ceased firing, and the gunboats have retired round the bend, eight hundred yards distant, showing only one gun. The enemy’s gunboats and batteries were constantly hit, and large quantities of burning cotton struck from them. We have lost some valuable gunners and a few others. Thank God, our loss is small, so far. The enemy loss must be very great.

‘Later. – MARCH 13, 7, p.m. – Just as I sent off my last despatch to you, the enemy opened upon us again with guns of one gunboat, the land battery and their 13-inch mortar. The fire was kept up with great spirit until after sunset. The ammunition for our heavy guns has, just now, arrived.’

Fort Pemberton is situated at the mouth of the Tallahatchie.

MOVEMENTS IN ARKANSAS.

PANOLA, MISS., March 12. – Tolerably authentic advices received here say that Helena, Ark., was attacked in the rear on Monday. Parties from that direction say that heavy firing was heard yesterday. The information comes from deserters, who say there are but 5,000 troops left at Helena. A gentleman from Memphis reports that there are 2,500 sick Yankees in the hospitals of that city.

LATEST FROM TENNESSEE.

CHATTANOOGA, March 14. – All quiet along the front today. It is believed here that a battle is imminent in the neighborhood of Tullahoma. There was light skirmishing yesterday between our cavalry and Yankee foragers on the Murfreesboro road, at Old Forestville.

Fifteen Yankee deserters, who gave themselves up on the Mississippi, arrived this morning by the Huntsville train, having walked from Okalona to Huntsville. They are all Kentuckians.

VAN DORN’S MOVEMENTS.

COLUMBIA, TENN., March 12. – Four brigades of the enemy, under Generals GRANGE, ROSECRANS, DAVIS and SHINDER, endeavored to hem VAN DORN in yesterday, just across Duck river, knowing that he had no means of crossing. Our artillery was kept in position until yesterday morning, and relied to the Yankee fire. The river was there crossed by a ferry. The outposts were held as usual. The whole command then withdrew, passed the enemy’s left flank, and escaped by the way of White Bridge, twenty-six miles above which they crossed successfully. The Federals are not yet aware of our whereabouts, and are looking for VAN DORN in their rear. The successful escape from so perfect a net is regarded as unusually skillful and fortunate.

Later. – The enemy are greatly surprised and exasperated at VAN DORN’S escape. They returned to Franklin to protect their rear, and committed many depredations, burning the houses which VAN DORN had occupied as his headquarters.

Nashville papers state that the enemy’s loss at Spring Hill was only three hundred, and that the Confederates had three negro regiments engaged, who fought bravely. The four brigades sent in pursuit of VAN DORN have returned. – Savannah Republican.

March 16, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The march of events during the last thirty days has done much to dispel the hopes of early peace, so generally entertained at the opening of the year. Since the bloody affair at Murfreesboro, the hostile forces in Tennessee, as well as those upon the Rappahannock and the Mississippi, appear to have been at a dead lock. But though the military status is, in the main unchanged, our enemies have not been idle. Never have their preparations to crush us been so active and energetic as during the present lull in the tempest of the war. In the desperate resolve to rob us of our rights, they have madly thrown away their own. With a bankrupt Treasury, with a Constitution trampled in the dust, with an army which has invariably been beaten in every pitched battle by troops inferior in number and equipments, and with a Government derided abroad and despised at home, the Yankees have deemed all that was left to them – the shadow of a free and constitutional Government – not worth preserving, and they have deliberately cast the lives and the liberties of their whole people in the scale against the hitherto invincible sword of the South. The Northern States have welded together all that remains to them of strength and wealth, to form an efficient weapon, in the hands of the vulgar despot at Washington, for our destruction. They have learned already to applaud the tyrannies of their master, and they salute him DICTATOR. There are some amongst us who hope that the spirit of republican government will yet assert itself at the North and that the people of the Northwest, at least, will ere long rise up to wrest their independence from the grasp of the new Autocrat. But in vain do we look for any material indication of this counter revolution. The whole Yankee nation, from Cape Cod to the prairies of the far West, is this day substantially a unit in the determination to subjugate these Confederate States, if their subjugation be possible.

Meantime, the dreams of foreign intervention that have so long deluded our people are passing away. England was never so resolute in her policy of non-interference as now; France stirs not in our behalf without the co-operation of her jealous rival. Thus, to our cost, we have learned the wholesome lesson that upon the blows yet to be struck by our own right arms rests the only hope of peace and independence. Henceforth let our Government bend all its energies to strengthen our armies in the field; and let our planters everywhere, as they desire the salvation of our cause, as they prize the success of our living defenders and the cherished memory of our glorious dead, see to it that the soil is tilled with the single view of feeding the armies, whose breasts are the barriers that protects that soil from the tide of desolation.

March 16, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We take pleasure in recording the particulars of what is considered one of the boldest and most successful feats of the war. We allude to the brilliant foray of Captain JOHN H. MICKLER, and a detachment of his Company (11th Regiment, S. C. V.), on last Thursday night, which resulted in surprising and capturing a detachment of pickets and signal corps men, at the Spanish Wells Observatory, on Hilton Head Island, a few hundred yards from a regiment of infantry, and within sound of the long roll at General HUNTER’S headquarters. By examining a map of the locality, it will be observed that Hilton Head Island is separated from the main land by wide water courses, navigable for gunboats of all classes, which renders all approach to it difficult, if not dangerous, except to men who can pull an oar lustily as well as handle the rifle with deadly precision. Washed by the Atlantic ocean on the front, and the rear so guarded naturally, Hilton Head was in every respect what might have been thought a safe place for ‘Department Headquarters;’ but it seems that our salt water boys have found a way to get there.

On Thursday evening, all proper arrangements having been previously made, the […..] started in their canoes, and followed May River down to its junction with Mackay’s Creek, where the union of the two streams forms Calibogue Sound. Learning from close observation the picket stations, they effected a safe landing. The night was dark, and the wind high enough to send the tide to the shore with a heavy murmur. After making all necessary dispositions to ensure success, the scouts moved cautiously to the high ground, and thence towards the house, which is used as a picket and signal station. Their plan was to approach the place in the rear, and, if possible, capture or bayonet every one there without firing a gun; but they found that a sentinel guarded the approach from this quarter, and another was posted on the front. Under these circumstances, there was no alternative but to shoot down the sentinel at the back door, and then do their work with dispatch. Bang went a musket, and, as target practice is not certain in the dark, away scampered the sentinel, followed by the attacking party, who rushed close upon his heels into the house. Before the sleeping guards could throw off their blankets, they found themselves in the grasp of a band of stern rebels. Rather than take the twenty odd [continue reading…]

March 16, 1863, The New York Herald

The intelligence from the Southwest today is full of interest. General Tuttle received a despatch at Cairo yesterday from Fort Donelson, stating that our cavalry […..] twenty-eight miles of the fort. The country people for miles around were coming in with various reports. The rebels are reported to be well armed. Our forces are ready for any emergency.

The capture of a portion of the rebel Colonel Richardson guerillas near Covington, Tenn., is confirmed. It is also stated that Colonel Lee surprised the Camp of General Looney at Wesley, and took himself, a number of his officers and a large portion of his men prisoners.

Great apprehensions exist in Louisville among military circles that a formidable invasion of Kentucky, with a view to the permanent occupancy of that State by the rebels, is imminent.

General Wright has prohibited the sale of arms and ammunition, except in Cincinnati, upon special permit. Any violation will be followed by confiscation of goods and seizure of the stock of the vender.

The destruction of the gunboat Indianola by the rebels after her capture appears to be confirmed. Admiral Porter telegraphs to Mr. Welles that the appearance of his bogus […..] monster” in the vicinity of the Indianola caused the enemy to blow her up, lest she should be captured by the […..]” coal barge. The Vicksburg Whig tells the same story, admitting that, although orders had been sent countermanding the previous one to destroy the Indianola when the character of Porter’s dummy was discovered, they arrived too late, and the vessel was blown to atoms, without even saving a gun.

The river at Vicksburg is very high. The back water has broken the levee, filling the canal and arresting the work upon it. At Memphis the river was within fourteen inches of high water mark and continues rising. [continue reading…]