March 1st. This morning, at ten thirty, had public worship on the quarter-deck, after which a general muster of the crew took place. Weather clear and pleasant.

Sunday, 1st–We had regimental inspection by the colonel at 2 o’clock, and our regiment showed itself in good trim. Boats are passing daily, loaded with troops for Vicksburg. I was on camp guard and the evening seemed to be very long and lonesome. It put me in mind of the long evenings just before the battle of Shiloh, and I thought how soon there might be another such a battle.

Washington Sunday March 1^st 1863

Old winter has taken his flight and left us deep in mud and water and a dense fog. But we will now look for clear weather and the usual drying winds of March will soon render the roads passable and the armies can move. Armies did I say? (for I sometimes forget that we are in the midst of a gigantic War, and following the usual routine of daily duty I awake as from a dream to realize that fact). Yes, Armies, three or four, each numbering near a hundred thousand, besides tens of thousands of men scattered all over Slavedom. We cannot have at present less than six hundred thousand Soldiers under arms altogether, engaged in sustaining the Union and puting down rebellion. Attended religious Service at the “House” Chamber this morning. After the service John A Fowle and Miss Rumsey (the Singer) were married before the congregation. An Episcopal clergyman performed the Ceremony. After the newly married couple had received the congratulations of their friends a few minutes, the first thing the new wife did was to sing (alone) the “Star Spangled Banner” for the crowd. I spent an hour at A B Williams^s with Alexander Tower and his wife Harriet W. that was. Went in the evening to Doct Gurleys church. A Stranger preached. I do wish that Preachers would learn to read.

1st. Stayed at home in the morning. Snow. Chester came in. Made a little taffy and ate apples. Read the Independent and Cincinnati Commercial. Col. Abbey was in and told his usual number of stories. Knew Pa well. Wrote a short letter home.

MARCH 1st.—To-morrow we remove to new quarters. The lady’s husband, owning cottage, and who was confined for seven months among lunatics, has returned, and there is not room for two families. Besides, Mrs. G. thinks she can do better taking boarders, than by letting the house. What a mistake! Beef sold yesterday for $1.25 per pound; turkeys, $15. Corn-meal $6 per bushel, and all other articles at the same rates. No salaries can board families now; and soon the expense of boarding will exceed the incomes of unmarried men. Owners and tenants, unless engaged in lucrative business, must soon vacate their houses and leave the city.

But we have found a house occupied by three widows in Clay Street. They have no children. They mean to board soon among their relatives or friends, and then we get the house; in the mean time, they have fitted up two rooms for us. We should have gone yesterday, but the weather was too bad. The terms will not exceed the rent we are now paying, and the house is larger. I espied several fruit trees in the back yard, and a space beyond, large enough for a smart vegetable garden. How delighted I shall be to cultivate it myself! Always I have visions of peas, beans, radishes, potatoes, corn, and tomatoes of my own raising! God bless the widows sent for our relief in this dire necessity

Met Judge Reagan yesterday, just from the Council Board. I thought he seemed dejected. He said if the enemy succeeded in getting command of the Mississippi River, the Confederacy would be “cut in two;” and he intimated his preference of giving up Richmond, if it would save Texas, etc. for the Confederacy. Texas is his adopted State.

Camp Winder, Caroline Co., Va., March 1, 1863.

Your very welcome letter of Feby. 23 reached me day before yesterday, and I am very happy to hear that you are all well at home. Very happy, too, my dear wife, to know that I am missed, and that even little Frank remembers me, if no other way than associated with the candy which coaxed him into my lap. You have had bad weather for farm work, and we have had as bad for our comfort. But it must come to an end. The war may last, but winter cannot. We will soon have weather when you farmers can get to ploughing and we soldiers to fighting.

Since writing this much of my letter, I have been to church. We have a chapel built of logs, not so comfortable as some churches I have seen, but still much better than the open air in winter weather. I was much pleased with the appearance of my men. They look clean and comfortably dressed, and were attentive to the sermon. We have, it is true, many bad men in the army; but, as a whole, I would not expect to find better men in any community than I have in my brigade. I never saw them in better health or spirits; and, what is so gratifying to me, Love, they give me every evidence of their affection and good-will. Winning this, I feel, is the proudest and happiest achievement of my life. May God give me strength, in sharing their danger and providing for their comfort, to merit it.

Saturday, 28th.—This morning Company B concluded to have some meat. In a very few minutes they had five fine hogs dead. A few minutes later they were under guard, and on their way to General Taylor’s quarters. Capture of the Indianola confirmed, but was so badly damaged had to be left in charge of an officer and a few men to be repaired as soon as possible, and then taken to the mouth of Red River, to be added to the Confederate fleet there. But the Yanks, finding it out, played a regular Yankee trick. Taking a large flat boat, and sticking up empty flour barrels for chimneys, made it to look as much like a gunboat as possible, it was towed down as near the rebel batteries as they could come in safety, and turned loose. Soon the very earth trembled from the rapid discharges of the heaviest rebel guns along the river. It being so dark, they could only see the bulk. The monster glided swiftly on, passing all the batteries, it being so light, that if struck, it would not sink. Soon it made its appearance at Grand Gulf, when the batteries there opened with redoubled fury; still it passed on. The officer in charge of the “Indianola,” thinking such an impregnable monster was coming, blew up the Indianola and left without further ceremony.

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

28th. Got up the rations and issued for ten days. Overlifted and strained my back and sides, makes me lame. After we got through I cleaned up. Charlie Crarey came down, got all the business straightened up, thinking I would go home Monday morning.

Saturday, 28th–Our regiment was mustered for pay at 9 o’clock this morning, and at 10 o’clock we had general inspection with all accouterments on, by the inspector general of the Seventeenth Army Corps, General William E. Strong.^[1] I got an order today from the captain on the sutler for $1.50.

[1] Iowa may well be proud of the Third Brigade of the Sixth Division, Col. M. M. Crocker commanding. It is composed of the following troops, Viz.: The Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Infantry. It turned out for inspection 1,935 rank and file. ***  Since I have been a soldier, it has so happened that I have seen many brigades of many different army corps, both in the Eastern and Western armies, but never have I seen a brigade that could compete with this Iowa brigade. I am not prejudiced in the slightest degree. I never saw any of the officers or soldiers of the command until the day when I saw them in line of battle prepared for inspection. *** I cannot say that any one regiment of the brigade appeared better than another—they all appeared so well. The Eleventh was the strongest. It had 528 enlisted men and 20 officers present for duty, the Thirteenth 470 enlisted men and 22 officers, the Fifteenth 428 men and 29 officers, the Sixteenth 405 men and 33 officers. In the entire brigade there was not to exceed a dozen men unable to be present for inspection.—Roster of Iowa Soldiers, Infantry, Vol. II, p. 279.

28th.—To-day we are all at home. It is amusing to see, as each lady walks into the parlour, where we gather around the centre-table at night, that her work-basket is filled with clothes to be repaired. We are a cheerful set, notwithstanding. Our winding “reel,” too, is generally busy. L. has a very nice one, which is always in the hands of one or the other, preparing cotton for knitting. We are equal to German women in that line. Howitt says that throughout Germany, wherever you see a woman, you see the “everlasting knitting;” so it is with Confederate women. I only wish it was “everlasting,” for our poor soldiers in their long marches strew the way with their wornout socks.

Saturday Feb 28^th 1863

There does not seem to be anything in particular to note down. We hear of some skirmishing with the rebels at various points but nothing of much consequence. At Vicksburgh, where perhaps the largest forces are opposed to each other, I think the plan is not to attack the Batteries but to invest the place and cut off their supplies and starve them out. No attack on Charleston or Savannah yet. There appears to be some trouble with the Commanders as to precedence or rank. Gen^ls Hunter and Foster are the officers. This question of rank together with the jealousy existing betwen West Point officers and Volunteers has led to an infinite deal of trouble during this war. Some Gen^ls have been so unpatriotic as to wish to see some other Gen^l defeated rather than assist him to be successful. For this and for acting in this way, Fitz John Porter was cashiered and dismissed the service. He was a Maj Gen^l. There are now about twenty Indians here from the western borders of Minnesota holding a talk with the Pres^t and the Indian Commissioner. I think there is but little sympathy for them anywhere since the Massacre up there last summer. Mrs Swisshelm stated that not less than fifteen hundred men, women, and children fell victims. She lives in S^t Cloud Min. It is said that the Indians were instigated by the Southern rebels to rise on the whites.

Sunday February 1—Preach in camp. Visit our regiment on picket about three miles away. Rain at night.

February 2—Seven years ago! My first son, Henry Watson, was born in Mrs. Meade’s Hotel, Martinsville, Va. That morning I knelt silently upon the floor in my wife’s room and prayed and wept when I first felt parental responsibility. God bless my boy today! Seven years old! May he spend many useful, happy years on earth and get safe to Heaven! God bless the mother today, and Willie and Mamie. My dear sainted Eddie! Safe in Heaven! Your father hopes to embrace you by-and-by in your angel home. Wrote to wife and Mrs. Meade.

Feb. 3—Exceedingly cold.

Feb. 4—Still very cold. Freezes my ink.

Feb. 5—Snow begins falling early and falls steadily.

Feb. 6—Ride four miles in rain, hunting a cabin for Jack Faircloth, Co. A., who is very sick and weak. He will die.

Feb. 7—Send to Gen. Rodes for brigade to be allowed to go to church on Sunday.

Feb. 8—Bright day. Preach to a large, attentive congregation in Baptist church. Bros. Power and Thigpen assist in communion. Precious season! Hear from wife and Bro. Hunt.

Feb. 9—Much indisposed.

Feb. 10—Visit Brigade Hospital established yesterday. Pray with patients and Dr. Guffy. Poor Faircloth says he loves Jesus because He loved him. I, this morning, finished my fifth annual reading through the Bible. On Sampson Circuit, 1857, I went the first time regularly through this Holy Book. I hope to read it carefully through every year of my future life. Jack Faircloth dies at night. Bad night with my cough.

Feb. 11—Rainy. Bury Faircloth. Finish Matthew in Greek.

Feb. 12—Right unwell. Visit Hospital.

Feb. 13—Indisposed. A. Crisp, Co. F., dies at midnight.

Feb. 14—Bury Crisp. A. Mitchel, Co. A., dies at 3 p. m.

Feb. 15—Rainy. Ed Register, Co. A., dies at Brigade Hospital.

Feb. 16—Ride to Medical Board with some sick men. Get them off to hospital. Bury Ed Register.

Feb. 17—Ground covered with snow and still it comes. Saw enemy’s balloon yesterday. Not today.

Feb. 18—Rains gently all day. I walk to new camp through rain and mud.

Feb. 19—Pray with regiment.

Feb. 20—Regiment goes on picket just below Fredericksburg. Ride to Fredericksburg. Call at store house of Arthur Bernard. Sad destruction of his property. He has not been seen since the enemy took him in Dec. Fine paintings in one room, “Hope and Memory,” “Cleopatra,” etc. Call on Bro. Owen, Chaplain 17th Mississippi Regiment. Meet Rev. Dr. Stiles at sister Fitzgerald’s. Night in camp.

Feb. 22—Rise at six, and find snow a foot deep. Snows nearly all day. Sit in my tent and read and write. Hear many heavy guns just at 12. Washington’s Birthday.

Feb. 24—Regiment, relieved from picket, comes into camp.

Feb. 26—Prayer meeting in Co. I. Chill and fever at night.

Feb. 27—In bed.

Feb. 28—Bro. Owen, 17 Mississippi Regiment, calls on me. Dr. Stiles and he still blessed in Fredericksburg with revival power.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Charleston or Savannah, or both, are now awaiting, breathless, the onslaught of the greatest war fleet ever seen in our hemisphere. The crisis is upon them. Many a beating heart longs and burns to be with the envied defenders of those cities, under command of the heroic and devoted Beauregard, this day. Many a Confederate soldier would make a present of ten years of dull existence in exchange for […..] crowded hour of glorious life’ under our flag upon those forts and batteries, and under the eye of such a chief.

Charleston has envied Richmond; Savannah has been kept from her sleep by the fame of Vicksburg. Their garrisons, lying idly in their quarters, have pined that they were not sharers in the passage of arms at Fredericksburg, when the Georgian Lawton stood the battle brunt with his brigade, and Maxey Gregg poured out the last drop of his noble blood for the independence of South Carolina! At last those slighted cities have their turn; those injured soldiers receive attention. Do not their hearts leap up at the summons to the battle? Will they not make the names of Charleston and Savannah names of terror to the craven Yankee heart from this day to the ending of the world?

We know not accurately what number of iron clad ships the enemy have got in their armada; but they will have no use for anything short of iron clads in face of our forts. Charleston and Savannah have both had time for preparation. They have both long known that they were coveted objects of the foe. Charleston, above all, that first, in that hour of Fate, struck down the felon flag of the Yankees, and rang, through the throat of cannon, the death knell of a foul and rotten Union – Charleston is the choicest morsel to glut the dearest vengeance of the Puritan heart. May God fight for the gallant city! A smashing defeat of the armada in those waters now, would almost – we think – make the affectionate soul of the gentle Northwest turn a little more to thoughts of peace. Every ship of the […..] sunk, will give rise to a constitutional scruple in the Democratic conscience. The disgrace of their striped rag will make them feel that our friendship must be cultivated, and that their own war debt is a thing to be repudiated. Diplomatize for us, then, ye bullets of Sumter! Soothe our great Northwest for us, ye batteries of Beauregard!

RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

In the last few days we have glanced at the objects which the United States have in this war, and at the different measures they will attempt to carry out, in arranging terms of peace with the Confederate States. We have sought briefly to point out the dangers to which the Confederate States will be subjected in closing this war. With vigilance and energy of preparation on the part of our Government, so as to prevent any serious disaster during the coming Spring, the signs at the North and in Europe are strongly indicative of the cessation of hostilities.

When the Confederate States shall be recognized, and the illegal blockade of our coast shall be removed, we shall rise from our attitude of difficulty and unfair depression in full power and with great resources, having earned unwilling respect for our courage and character, and having impressed the world with the practical importance of our products to its comfort and prosperity. The United States will be let down under the moral effect of the recognition of our independence. Those immense advantages they have hitherto had, through the unmolested command of our communications by our want of a navy and the one-sided neutrality and tacit acquiescence of foreign nations in a paper blockade, will be ended. The markets and workshops of the world will then be accessible to us. And it is not likely that our opportunities will be thrown away. The difficulties about keeping up the numbers of the United States’ troops are already almost desperate. The disbandment of three hundred thousand in May, the small prospect of recruiting them, and the demoralization and dissatisfaction throughout all their forces and in the Northwestern States, portend disaster and failure, and a termination of the struggle, if we but do our part. When, from internal and external causes, the North begins to collapse, then the Confederate States will be plied with terms for closing the war, and the fearful and weak kneed and short sighted amongst our public men may jump to obtain the boon of present peace on terms fraught with commercial dependence, growing inferiority and certain trouble.

In the history of the two sections of the old Union, the South credulously put her interests in the hands of her public servants with small accountability for their conduct. The North, on the contrary, had a sectional policy, and brought her [continue reading…]

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, February 27. – A Proclamation of the President will be published in the papers tomorrow, appointing the 27th of March as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and inviting the people of the Confederate States to repair on that day to their usual places of public worship and join in prayer to Almighty God that he will continue his merciful protection over our cause, scatter our enemies, and set at nought their evil designs, and that he will graciously restore to our beloved country the blessings of peace and security.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

RICHMOND, February 27. – A despatch, dated Frankfort, Ky., gives some particulars of the disposition of the Democratic Convention at that place by the military. The Kentucky House of Representatives, by a decided vote, having refused to the Convention the use of their hall, the Convention rented the Theatre. Delegates from forty counties were present, and DAVID MERRIWETHER was elected Chairman. On taking the Chair, he expressed the hope that the Convention would do nothing which the Government and loyal citizens would not approve. In the meantime, a regiment of soldiers, with fixed bayonets, formed in front of the theatre, and when the call of counties was made, Colonel GILBERT, the commanding officer of the troops outside, took the stand and informed the Convention that none but men of undoubted loyalty to the Government would be allowed to run for any office. He advised the delegates to disperse to their several homes, and in future to desist from all such attempts to precipitate civil war upon the State. The assemblage then adjourned. There was some excitement in the city, but no disorder.

February 28, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We publish, by request, the following article from the Richmond Dispatch, in regard to the loss of New Orleans. For our own part, we have never been able to gather the data necessary to form a satisfactory opinion as to who is responsible for that grievous disaster. It is high time, we think, that the matter should be thoroughly sifted, and the people informed whether the fall of the Crescent City is due to the shortcomings of the army, or of the navy, or of the government.

HOW NEW ORLEANS WAS TAKEN – A YANKEE OPINION OF THE SUPINENESS OF OUR NAVAL OFFICERS.

The capture of the Harriet Lane has brought to light a correspondence showing that New Orleans might easily have been held by the Confederates, and that the dash of the Federal vessels was a last and desperate move on the part of the bombarding forces, the success of which surprised even its projectors themselves. The Houston Telegraph of the 16th ult. contains a letter written by Commander Wainwright, of the steamer Harriet Lane, to Commander D. D. Porter, relating to the Confederate defence of New Orleans, and how that city was taken by the Federals. It will be seen from the extract we give below that Commander Wainwright regards their success as owing mainly to the […..] of our naval officers:

U. S. STEAMSHIP HARRIET LANE,
SHIP ISLAND, June 1, 1862.

SIR: In reply to your communication of the 29th ult., I have to state that on the afternoon of April 22d, a signal was made from the flagship Hartford for all commanding officers to repair on board. Though not positive that the signal was intended to apply to the officers attached to the mortar flotilla, I determined to present myself in obedience thereto, which I accordingly did. I found assembled all the commanding officers of the fleet, with the exception of those attached to the mortar flotilla, myself being the only representative of that branch of the squadron. Upon repairing to the cabin of [continue reading…]

February 28, 1863, The New York Herald

The particulars of the rebel cavalry raid across the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford, which we announced yesterday, have been received, and it appears that it was a force of Stuart’s famous corps, commanded by himself, which made the attempt, in which they were completely defeated and driven back over the river, barely in time to save themselves, as the waters began to rise at that moment. However, about fifty of General Stuart’s men, including two officers, were taken prisoners. It is presumed that it was the determination of General Stuart to make his way to Potomac creek and destroy the railroad bridge over which the supplies of our army are now conveyed. The enemy, after crossing at Kelly’s Ford, succeeded, by a strong attack, in breaking our thin line of cavalry outposts at one or two points, capturing a small number of our men. Our cavalry outposts reserves were brought up, the lines immediately re-established and a force sent in pursuit. At last accounts they had not returned.

Rumors were rife in Washington yesterday that General Hunter was about to be relieved from the command of the Department of the South, and General Burnside’s name was spoken of in connection with the succession. It was also said that certain parties were preparing charges against General McClellan with a view to a court martial. These reports were extensively talked of in the streets and places of public resort.

The news from Kentucky confirms the intelligence which we published yesterday that the rebel retreating force near Mount Sterling were severely handled by our troops. Two hundred prisoners were taken, and all the captured wagons were recovered which the rebels had seized in their bold attack upon our trains.

Reports from Lake Providence, via Cairo, state that the canal across the peninsula is almost completed, the work having reached from the lake to within a few rods of the river. The canal is one hundred and fifty feet wide, and is dug down to within one foot of the level of the lake.

It is said that General Van Dorn has crossed the Tennessee river at Florence with 8,000 cavalry to reinforce General Bragg. The expedition from Corinth, under Colonel Corwan, is reported to have captured two hundred rebels, under General Rodley, at Tuscumbia, on the 22d inst., with a large amount of ammunition and a provision train.

Our news from the South today is not very important. The Richmond Enquirer of the 24th, which has been received, contains nothing relative to the news from Vicksburg, but it furnishes some additional news of the capture of the Queen of the West, the principal facts concerning which we have published before.

27th. After breakfast played two games of chess with Case. Got beaten. Ordered to move to Covington immediately, then countermanded. Wrote to the boy William. God bless him and lead him. Thede came over. Went down and looked at a horse he thought of taking. Read in Scott’s “Waverly.” Music in Q. M. D.

Friday, 27th–We received orders to clean up for general inspection. Captain Beach of Company H of the Eleventh Iowa having been appointed to go after and bring back any deserters from our brigade, left for Iowa to get all such found in the State.

Washington Friday Feb. 27^th 1863.

The rain fell in torrents last night and increased the depth of the flowing mud in the streets. It has been a dull day. Very little news stirring, nothing of a decisive character. Congress will adjourn next Wednesday and it will have done a good deal of important work this Session. The Conscription Bill and the Finance Bill embracing the uniform Currency bill are of a most important Nature. Elections soon come off in Conn. & N Hampshire and some other states and the disunionists or “Copperhead” Democracy are straining every nerve to carry them. Should they succeed many good men apprehend that forced resistance will be made in such States to any further raising of troops should they be called for. Much depends upon the organization of “Union Leagues” in combining the loyal strength in those States to act in concert against their Enimies. This is a trying time for our Country. Enimies in front with arms in their hands, and Enimies in the rear giving those Enimies comfort and support. God grant we get safely delivered from the perils which surround us. That our Country may survive her present trials, and emerge from the firey ordeal, more glorious than ever & purified, though baptised anew in the blood of her choicest sons.

FEBRUARY 27th.—No news from any quarter to-day.

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston is discontented with his command in the West. The armies are too far asunder for co-operative action; and, when separated, too weak for decisive operations. There is no field there for him, and he desires to be relieved, and assigned to some other command.

I was surprised to receive, to-day, the following very official letter from the Secretary of War:

February 27, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

In almost every newspaper one takes up now he finds an article, in a conspicuous place, headed ‘Plant Corn,’ addressed to the planters and farmers; and in several States, South Carolina included, laws have been passed, restricting planters to three acres cotton per hand this year. To both of these propositions I give my hearty consent, and conform my practice. Last year I reduced my cotton acres four-fifths, and this year I have pitched my crop at one-third less than the last. The law should have forbidden planting more than half an acre for each hand, which would have insured an ample supply for the Confederate States and domestic uses. As it is, the planter, by putting all his manure on his best three acres, and giving them garden culture, may make, in this State, a full average crop; and many will do it to the utter neglect of corn and other grain. The law fell far short of the mark.

But in what? (I beg pardon if I offend any.) I think the preposterous attempt of legislators to regulate prices by laws, which has been tried in all ages and times, from Moses down, and which has never met with any real success in a single instance, the planters and farmers not only have poor encouragement to make breadstuffs and provisions, but are deterred from it, and nearly deprived of any power to do it.

There seems to be no end to the performance and the endurance expected of them.

Firstly. The impressment law takes from them an important proportion of their hands to do for the army what in all other countries the armies do for themselves – entrench and fortify.

Secondly. The repeal of the Exemption Law seems to be about to take from them their managers, leaving them only men over forty-five years, who are hard to find willing to take their places; too old at best for active operations; mostly broken down old men, new to the negros, and liable to be called out, also, at any moment. I think that the law exempting one white man for every twenty negros was putting it too low. It should have said for forty or fifty, which would have prevented most of its abuses. Forty or fifty negros constitute one of the controlling plantations of a neighborhood, and its discipline is very important to all. But many, left to themselves under a negro driver, or an imbecile white man, wholly new to them, will scarcely make a support for themselves, much less contribute to support of armies and town people. I speak after thirty years’ experience of personal management of three to six times that many negros. They would steal all [continue reading…]

February 27, 1863, The New York Herald

The rebels appear to be actively engaged in making raids on this side of the Rappahannock. It is stated by a Washington journal that on the night before last a picket guard of Union cavalry, on the Chantilly roads, out of Centreville, was pounced upon, and all but one man captured, by a force of a hundred rebels, after firing two rounds. It is also ascertained that a number of the enemy crossed the river the same night at Kelly’s Ford, a few miles from Rappahannock Station, threatening Stafford Court House; that quite a large body of them occupy Warrenton, and that Stonewall Jackson is pushing up the valley towards Strasburg.

By an arrival from Port Royal we are put in possession of further information concerning the difference between Generals Hunter and Foster, the leading facts of which we before published. General Hunter has peremptorily ordered the staff of General Foster to leave his department and proceed North by the first steamer; and he has also put General Stevenson, of General Foster’s corps, under arrest at Hilton Head, for stating in conversation with his brother officers that he objected to the employment of negro troops in the government service, and that he would as soon be beaten as employ them as soldiers. However, as General Foster has since gone to Washington for instructions and again returned to Port Royal, it is probable that the difficulty as to the commands will be all settled, and everything will be soon right again.

The news from the West is important. From Kentucky we learn that the enemy were retreating from the State by way of Mount Sterling and Hazel Green, and that Colonel Kinkle, with a force of eighteen hundred men, was pursuing them. On the other hand, despatches from Cincinnati tell various stories of the progress of the Kentucky raid – one to the effect that Gen. Breckinridge is advancing on Lexington with twenty thousand rebels, and that our troops were falling back upon that point. The Union transport Hetty Gilman, with forage and provisions, was captured by a band of Morgan’s guerillas at a point five miles from Woodbury, on Barren river, and fears were entertained that the steamer D.B. Campbell, bound for Bowling Green, would share the same fate.

The rebels were overtaken yesterday near Mt. Sterling, and were completely beaten, after a brisk fight. [continue reading…]