19th. Felt miserable in the morning. Hospital moved to the brick church. Col. Dod and Bob worked at the old wagon. Thede and Mike went for cherries for a cherry pie tomorrow. Byerley came over. Read some in “Barnaby Rudge.” In the evening got a letter from Lucy Randall. Wrote a letter to Fannie.

Friday, 19th–It is again quite warm. Every morning at about 2 o’clock we have to form a line of battle, so that if the rebels should come in upon us we would be ready for them; but I do not think they will come. On account of the very poor water here, several of the boys are down with the fever and ague.

Lagrange, Tenn., June 19, 1863.

The general and Sam went to Memphis yesterday to visit General Hurlbut, and the major and I have charge of the machine. The cavalry under command of Colonel Mizner went south last Tuesday. They have a good sized object in view, and if they succeed will be gone some ten days, though they may possibly be back by Wednesday next. They will operate between Panola and Grenada. Another mounted expedition has gone from Corinth to Okolona, a third from Corinth to Pikeville, Ala., and a fourth also from Corinth to Jackson, Tenn., which place has, since we evacuated it, been occupied by some Rebel cavalry (infantry also reported) from the east of the Tennessee river. All of this cavalry (of course excepting the Rebel) belongs to General Oglesby’s command. You see he has it in motion. Deserters are constantly coming in from Johnston’s army; and if we can believe their stories, and the information gained from the corps of spies employed along this line, Grant’s rear is not in as much danger as our southern brethren would fain have us think. Johnston’s army is not in the best condition imaginable; and it is far from being as strong as he would like it. Have no idea that he can march thirty-five thousand men. Grant must have an enormous army. How awful it would be if the yellow fever would visit his camps. I suppose you know that my regiment is at Snyder’s Bluff. I think that is on the Yazoo, near Haines. Don’t you see some more of my extraordinary fortune in being detached just as the regiment is ordered to where there is a prospect of hard knocks. We were all loaded on the cars ready to move, when Sam came down to the train and took me. The regiment then left immediately. There is a possible chance now of the general’s being ordered to Vicksburg; but I’ve given up all hope of my getting there. We are having a great deal of trouble with the citizens here. A great many secesh citizens ask to be exempted from taking the oath, because they have rendered service to our army. This one gave a quart of buttermilk to a sick soldier, another donated an onion to the hospital, another allowed a sick officer to stay in his house for only $2. per day, etc. A number of the claims really have some point to them, and although ’tis against my theory, I really can’t help pitying some of them. We had a sad accident last week near this post. General Hurlbut ordered a small train with a guard of some 60 men to be sent north on the railroad to repair the telegraph line. Twelve miles only from here the train broke through a little bridge over a deep but narrow “swash” and killed five and wounded ten of the party. An examination showed that the bridge had been burned the night before, and afterward the rails had been propped up only strongly enough to keep their places when no weight was upon them. ‘Twas a fiendish, cowardly act, but of course committed by men whose business is robbery and murder, and who have no connection with the army.

June 19th. Commences with calm and pleasant weather. At nine A. M., inspected crew at quarters. Mr. Watson and Lieut. Eaton of U. S. A. signal Corps, went overland to lower fleet. From eight P. M. to midnight, occasional firing in rear of Port Hudson.

June 19th.—Gen. Lee telegraphs from Culpepper Court House yesterday, that Gen. Rhodes captured Martinsburg, Sunday, 14th inst., taking several guns, over 200 prisoners, and a supply of ammunition and grain. Our loss was only one killed and two wounded.

The Secretary of the Navy is in bad odor for ordering out the Atlanta at Savannah to fight two Federal steamers, to whom she surrendered.

There is nothing more definite or authentic from Winchester, except that we certainly captured Milroy’s army of not less than 6000 men.

To-day the government issued musket and ball-cartridges (forty to each) to the volunteer companies raised in the departments for home defense. If this does not signify apprehension of an immediate attack, it proves at all events that Lee’s army is not to be around the city as it was a year ago—and that signifies his purpose to advance.

From the diary of Osborn H. Oldroyd

JUNE 19TH.–For a month we have been watching our enemy vigilantly, and a panorama, consisting of a great variety of war scenes, has, during that time, passed before us. We have had charging, digging rifle-pits, blowing up forts and firing all sizes of cannon, to say nothing of percussion shells, spherical case shot, time shells, parrot, grape, cannister, shrapnel, etc., the memory of which will be vivid to all, both blue and gray, who have seen the show around Vicksburg.

The terrible noises, too, that have rung in our ears, must echo for years to come. I may add our endurance of this southern sun, at times being short of rations, and at no time out of danger, yet all the time nearly uncomplaining–every one trying to make the best of it, and all as merry as the situation would admit. Each day some of the boys have come in relating new discoveries on reconnoisance, and I do not think there is a foot of ground about these hills that has not been explored, a well or spring that has not been tested, or a single object of interest of any kind that has not been worked till it grew stale. Then each man has had his peculiar view of how a siege like this ought to be conducted–that is, from the standpoint of rank and file.

However, we are all agreed that the quiet man in command of our forces is still able to anticipate the requirements of our situation. I call him quiet, for that is just what he is. There is no dash or glitter about him, but he is marked by a steady nerve, and piercing glance that seems to be always on the alert. Many a second lieutenant has fallen a victim to the sharpshooter because of his fresh uniform, while officers of more experience have escaped under slouched hats and old blouses. There seems to be no limit, however, to the experience of some of them.

A cook of the 96th Ohio happened to be cooking beans the other day, when Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding a division of the 13th Army Corps, came around on camp inspection. After being properly saluted by the cook, the general began a colloquy as follows:

Gen. Smith.–What are you cooking?

The Cook.–Beans, sir.

General Smith.–How long do you cook beans ?

The Cook.–Four hours, sir.

Gen. Smith (with a look of withering scorn).–Four hours! You cook ’em six hours!

That cook’s beans were tender enough that day.

“Once again the fire of hell
Rained the rebel quarters,
With scream of shot and burst of shell,
And bellowing of the mortars.”

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

Mr. T. M. Cook’s Letter.

ON THE MARCH, June 17, 1863.

SCOUTS.

Scouts from the mountain passes of the Blue Ridge bring in but little interesting news. In fact; you are probably better posted in regard to the rebel movements from the front than you can be from the rear, and the movements of our own army are necessarily not permitted to be published.

THE REBEL ADVANCE AND STRENGTH.

It seems to be satisfactorily determined that the rebel army that moved up the Shenandoah valley at first, and which is now despoiling Southern Pennsylvania, is but the advance of the great army of invasion the rebels have so quietly created. It consists of but two corps, those of Longstreet and Ewing, Lee accompanying it in person. These corps are estimated to number thirty thousand men each, making the total force now in the upper valley, in Maryland and in Southern Pennsylvania, sixty thousand men. D. H. Hill is now following, his corps having passed the vicinity of Thoroughfare Gap on Tuesday. He has thirty thousand more. These with Stuart’s cavalry, make a total effective force of one hundred thousand men now definitely known to be engaged in the invasion. Whether there are more to follow or not I cannot say. [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

            A letter from a correspondent to the Richmond Examiner, dated Richmond, June 7, gives the following narrative of the inhumanity of the Yankees toward the exiles from Western Virginia:

            I received a letter this morning from a refugee, giving an account of the banishment of the secessionists of the town of Weston from their homes by the Yankees, and I will give you a couple of short extracts which furnish fair specimens of the treatment which our unfortunate citizens of Northwestern Virginia are receiving at their hands.  The writer says:

            “All secessionists have been banished from Weston–those who had protectors this side, were sent across the lines, the others were sent to Camp Chase.”  She then mentions six ladies, who, with others, were sent within our lines.  They were taken to Clarksburg in ambulances, thence sent to Winchester by rail and brought to Kingstown and set down on the roadside in the night, and told to do the best they could.  They were allowed to bring sixty pounds of baggage and one hundred dollars in Yankee money.  The writer names a good many who were given their choice (how very kind to give them their choice) either to go to prison or Ohio, and names ten or twelve more who were sent to Camp Chase, and says:  “The hardest of all is they were compelled to leave their children.  Mrs. D. started without hers, but went and took up her youngest, and told them they might kill her, but she would take her baby.”

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

It appears that the detachment from General Lee’s forces which for several days was in occupation of Chambersburg has fallen back to a safer position; that Harrisburg is secure, and that the general drift of the advanced fragments of the rebel army has been turned westward, as if destined for Pittsburg or Wheeling, on the Ohio river. Unquestionably, we think the government, in creating, the other day, the Department of the Monongahela, and in placing General Brooks in command of it at Pittsburg, had some positive information of a formidable rebel movement on foot in that direction. Satisfied, however, that General Brooks, on the approach of any hostile force which can be sent against him at Pittsburg or Wheeling, will be amply prepared to meet and defeat it, we may turn our attention to the more immediate movements of General Lee.

Assuming that, with the main body of his army, he is in the Shenandoah valley, we must conclude that General Lee meditates a descent upon the rear of Washington, or calculates upon drawing away and so dividing the army of General Hooker as to render it an easy task to cut in between his detached columns and cut them up in detail. These rebel movements into Maryland and Pennsylvania may have thus been intended to divert a considerable portion of Hooker’s troops to the defence of those States; but if any such calculation was involved in these diversions it has signally failed. We have now a united and compact army against a divided and widely scattered army – an advantage which always heretofore, down to General McClellan’s march from Antietam, has been with the enemy in our military operations in Northern Virginia. We hope this advantage will not be relinquished or neglected. Viewed in any light, this Northern advance of the rebel [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

(FOR THE MERCURY.)

At 5 o’clock, a.m., June 21, 1863, I was awakened in my bed by the driver, who rushed precipitately in my room, and informed me that two of the enemy’s steamers were in full sight, and would soon by opposite to my landing. I arose hastily, dressed myself with all possible speed, went upon the portico of the house, which commands an extensive view of the river and all the neighboring plantations, and, sure enough, there were the two steamers – one quite small, and the other very large, crowded with armed men in dark uniform. It seemed to me that I also saw women seated in chairs upon the upper deck of the large steamer, surveying with curiosity the beautiful and peaceful scene that lay stretched before them. It was a very pleasant morning – the sky was clear, and from the state of the atmosphere, every residence, building and mill loomed out, and seemed nearer than they really were. The rice crops were growing luxuriantly, and the negro settlements upon the hills looked like a succession of tranquil villages. The steamers did not fire a gun, and had I not known them to be the enemy by their flags, I would have supposed them a large party on a pleasure excursion. Upon perceiving that the smaller steamer was steering for my landing, I ordered the driver to bring the people to me, as they had come from the fields, and were gathering at the settlement. My house servants all stood around me, professing the utmost attachment, and their perfect willingness to obey my commands, but not exhibiting the slightest degree of alarm or surprise. Finding that the negros did not come to me from the settlement, as I had ordered, I immediately went there, found them all about their houses, and seeing that the enemy had now landed [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, American Citizen (Canton, Mississippi)

            One object we had in view in our recent trip to Alabama and Georgia, was to procure a sufficient supply of printing paper to enable us to enlarge The Citizen to a respectable size, and place the continuance of its publication beyond all contingencies, except those incident to the war, and “accidents by flood and field.”

            Having written to the leading mills in the country, and our money and orders being invariably returned with the informative, “We cannot supply you–have many orders ahead of yours that we cannot fill,” we concluded to see what virtue there might be in personal effort–determined to “reconnoiter the situation,” “storm the works,” and endeavor to bring off “supplies” by the force of argument, “moral suasion,” sense, and blarney, superadded to money, which was once a sufficient motive power to “make the mare go” and even run the paper mill.

            By persistent effort, a determination not to be turned away empty if there was any virtue in eloquent pleading, and a promise to canvass our county for rags when we reached home, we succeeded in purchasing from a mill a small supply of paper, for which we paid eighty cents per pound–eight cents having been the price before the war.

            The difficulties in the way of transportation are as great as those of obtaining paper.  We succeeded in getting our paper as far as Mobile, where we were compelled to leave it, the Express agents declaring it was impossible to ship it through, as there were at least five car loads of freight already awaiting transportation.

            Thus our readers will perceive the almost insurmountable obstacles in the way of publishing a newspaper in these war times.

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

Mr. T. H. Whipple’s Letter.

CAIRO, June 15, 1863.

THE BATTLE AT MILLIKEN’S BEND, some particulars of which the telegraph has ere this taken to you, turns out to have been a more sanguinary affair than was at first supposed. It occurred on Saturday and Sunday, the 6th and 7th last, the first attack having been made in the afternoon of Saturday, closing with the retreat of the rebels before nightfall. I gather the following in regard to the affair from an officer of the steamer Dunleith, just from the scene of action.

It would appear that the Union forces at Milliken’s Bend were under the command of a colonel of Iowa volunteers – supposed to be the Twenty-third –and his force consisted of two Iowa regiments and one or two colored regiments, new in the service, and short in point of numbers, and no heavy or even light artillery of any importance with which to repel an attack. But hearing early on Saturday that the rebels, under Gen. Henry McCulloch, brother of Ben. McCulloch, were concentrating near him, with a menacing front, toward Milliken’s Bend, the commander sent out some cavalry with orders to reconnoitre and report.

ADVANCE OF THE CAVALRY.

The cavalry dashed out from the works early in the day, and soon returned with a full confirmation of the report previously brought in in regard to the proximity of the rebels [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

We publish this morning a letter from an intelligent planter to a friend, descriptive of what passed under his own eye, during the late raid on the Combahee River. The matter, as presented, is one demanding the serious and careful attention of all citizens of the State, no less than the Governor, and the military authorities of this Department. The picture drawn is startling, and although painted in plain, unvarnished terms, present facts of a very grave nature and import. Viewed from several points of view, they require a deliberate and unshrinking consideration. It shall receive it at our hands – let others do their duty.

Viewed as an example permitted to others, it is most pernicious, and may be destructive in its future effects.

As a question of food, it is of moment, threatening as it does the whole grainery of the State, which lies upon the coast – for the interior of the State has produced but little more than it consumes. Lay waste, or abandon the coast, and the whole rice crop – upon which crop our armies here subsist to a very great extent – is destroyed – all fodder is destroyed for the cavalry – and the next season will find the State, as well as the army here, pinched for mere subsistence. Transportation, too, will not relieve matters. Planters cannot jeopard their all, without some ostensible pretension towards protection.

Regarding the matter as touching international law, between ourselves and the Government of the United States, and as bearing upon the customs of war, the facts are [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

THE MOVEMENTS IN THE WEST.

JACKSON, June 13, p.m. – It is stated positively that JACKSON’S cavalry has retaken the Big Black Bridge. We have no particulars yet. A gentleman just from Vicksburg says that the garrison there is in the best spirits, with plenty to eat and an abundance of ammunition, &c. It is considered that there is little fear now in respect to its safety. I am trying to make arrangements to go to the front, and will possibly leave on Monday. The time is close at hand for more stirring events.

Information has been received here that Gen. DICK TAYLOR, a few days ago, surprised the enemy’s camp at Ashland, La., and killed, wounded, and took prisoners amounting altogether to 2000. A few escaped to their gunboats.

Everything is represented to be brighter today than for a week past. JOHNSTON is […..] side up.’ He and KIRBY SMITH will be heard from soon.

Col. RODDY had crossed to the west side of the Tennessee River and captured the town of Hamburg, above Savannah, securing a large amount of bacon and other stores.

Captain JAMES MATHEWS, of DeSoto, has brought intelligence which may be relied on, that General MARMADUKE had fired on two downward transports a few miles above Helena, sinking one and capturing the other. A force of two regiments was sent up against him from Helena, which he completely routed, driving what of them was left howling back to their lines. General PRICE is cutting out a road through the bottom for his artillery, &c., to Old Town, a point eighteen miles below Helena.

Another invasion of Kentucky is apprehended at Louisville, and it is stated the Confederate forces greatly predominate in the Southeastern portion of the State.

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

Despatch of Mr. Thomas M. Cook.

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 18, 1863.

The situation and intention of the rebels begins more and more to be developed, and we gain a clearer insight into their plans and purposes. There is a very large room for doubt whether any considerable body of the rebels have yet passed beyond the Potomac Northward. Indeed, it is quite certain that the movement into Pennsylvania and Maryland up to this time embraces only some five thousand cavalry, supported by perhaps a single division of mounted infantry and a battery of light artillery. With such a force they are enabled to move with great celerity and strike rapidly at seemingly distance points.

Washington is not so easy a prize to them as they imagined. They will not get into the national capital without more desperate fighting than they have hitherto made.

I can only say that our camp is not idle. Gen. Hooker is watching General Lee as closely as Lee is watching him. I think I may venture the assertion, that in view of the shape affairs have taken, the danger is about over. By this I do not mean that no greater damage will be done by the rebels in Maryland and Pennsylvania, but simply that no more rebels will venture across the Potomac than are now there. These will undoubtedly do all the damage they can; but their numbers are so small, and the popular uprising so [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

            “I want a copy of that book about Gen. Lee’s poor miserable soldiers faintin,” said an old lady in West & Johnston’s bookstore, the other day.  The clerk was dumbfounded.  One of the proprietors was sent for, made the old lady repeat her request, turned pale, rolled his eyes wildly, scratched his head and at last exclaimed, “Oh! yes!  I know what it is now you mean Les Miserables.  Fantine, by Victor Hugo.”

            “No, I don’t” replied the old lady.  “I know nothing and care nothing about “Lays Meeserabuls.  I want Lee’s Miserables faintin’.”

            As nothing else would satisfy her, she was allowed to depart without the book she so eagerly sought.–Whig.

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

Mr. Simon Cameron, the predecessor of Edwin M. Stanton in the War Department, took occasion the other day at Harrisburg to denounce the present Secretary for his gross mismanagement in general, and his shameful neglect in particular to protect Pennsylvania from invasion. There can be no doubt that in this Mr. Cameron is perfectly right. Mr. Stanton is responsible for the second invasion of the North, as he was for the first, ten months ago. When Hooker retreated across the Rappahannock, after the battle of Chancellorsville, Mr. Stanton came out with a great flourish in a despatch to Governor Curtin, to the effect that Hooker had only employed one-third of his army in the battle; that the army was not at all demoralized or disorganized, and that it would immediately resume the offensive. According, therefore, to the confession of Mr. Stanton, the present general of the Army of the Potomac is utterly unfit for his post; and yet he retains him ever since, to the peril of the republic. A general who, after long preparation, deliberately selects his own ground, boasts that his position is impregnable, then dares the enemy to the combat, and then is routed, after two days’ fighting, without being able to bring into action more than a third of his army, “the best on the planet,” is plainly incompetent to command such an army. Yet Stanton, instead of insisting upon having another general, announces that he will try him over again immediately.

But seven weeks have elapsed since the battle of Chancellorsville, and no attempt has been made to resume hostilities by Hooker; and there is no knowing how long he would have remained on the hills of Falmouth had not Lee taken the initiative, and so massed [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, The New York Herald

Information has reached Washington that a skirmish occurred on Wednesday near Aldie between the Union cavalry and the rebels. Eighty-five rebels were captured by our forces, among them eight officers. Several killed and wounded. This skirmish may be the preliminary contest of a more general and bloodier struggle, in which the whole of the forces may be engaged. The rebels were a flank guard of Lee’s forces.

The rebels are said to have invested Harper’s Ferry on the 16th inst., and made an attack. The Union troops retreated to the Maryland Heights and shelled the rebels out of Harper’s Ferry. The enemy retreated to Williamsport, when Gen. Tyler recrossed and occupied his former position. Travel between Harper’s Ferry and Baltimore has been resumed. The rebels, however, destroyed much of the track beyond the former point.

It is reported from Shepperdsburg that the rebels had evacuated Chambersburg after firing some of the warehouses, and were supposed to be retreating towards Hagerstown. before leaving the rebels cleared out all the drug stores, paying for the drugs in Confederate scrip. It is supposed there are now no rebels in Pennsylvania.

Eight thousand rebels are reported to have crossed the Potomac on Tuesday, and were marching upon Hancock, Md. The Union forces at the latter place fled on learning of the rebel approach.

From Fortress Monroe we learn that General Wiser’s ebel forces had left the peninsula, [continue reading…]

June 19, 1863, Menphis Daily Appeal (Atlanta, Ga)

Mrs. Mattie Patterson, whose arrest on a charge of carrying on treasonable correspondence with the enemy has been mentioned, was found guilty by the military commission at Murfreesboro’, and sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary, at Jeffersonville, Ind., for life.  The general commutes her sentence to three years’ confinement.–Nashville Press, 12th.

18th. Orders to draw ten days’ rations and be ready to march at a minute’s notice. Drew and issued ten days’ rations. Hospital boys sent back to Hickman. Brigade quite inquisitive as to where we are going. In the evening concert. Wrote to Will Hudson. Letter from Sarah Felton.

Thursday, 18th–We have had strong wind and thunder for three days now, but no rain. I was on duty today for the first time in two and a half months, for while I was cook I had no other duty. Skirmishing and cannonading are still going on. News came that our army is in the rear of Port Hudson and that fighting is going on there, I wrote a letter today for John Ford, of my company. Ford had shot off his right thumb by an accidental discharge of his rifle, and when it came time for him to write to his sweetheart, he called upon me to do it for him.[1]

[1] I undertook the job for Ford, but did some perspiring before I finished the letter, and I would never undertake it again. The letter went through and he received a nice one in reply.—A. G. D.

“Dear Mama,
         “I have written L. twice in the last two weeks and the reason I did not write you after the fight (Brandy Station) was that you were so close (Orange C. H.) I did not think you would feel uneasy at not hearing from me. The best proof you can have of my safety, except hearing so positively, is by hearing nothing. Moving with the Cavalry here to-day and there to-morrow, it is impossible to keep up a regular correspondence.
         “The wounded are always sent to the rear and if I am ever unfortunate enough to be placed in that category I shall certainly let you know. So till you hear positively to the contrary make your mind easy on my account. We marched from Starke’s Ford the day your letter is dated (14th) and came up by Amisville, Gaines’ X Roads, Flint Hill, Orleans, Piedmont on the Manassas Gap R. R., Paris, Upperville and Middleburg to Dover Mills, which we reached yesterday afternoon and where we engaged the Yankee Cavalry and Artillery. I was detached from the battery in command of the Whitworth gun of my section. This piece lost none. The other piece of my section and one of Johnston’s three pieces each lost one man killed. These were the only men of the battery lost. The drivers of the Whitworth in trotting through a gate ran against one of the posts and snapped the pole short off. . . . We were falling back at the time so there was no chance to repair it. The enemy was flanking us so we were forced to fall back, making a circuitous route and striking the turnpike between Upperville and Middleburg late last night. The battery is about to move now, so good-bye. You must not expect to hear from me regularly but write yourself frequently.”

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

June 18th. Bombardment of Port Hudson by our army and navy going on at an early hour this morning; at three forty-five P. M., the steamer Arizona came down the river. Nothing more worthy of mention occurred during the day.

JUNE 18th.—From Winchester we have many accounts, in the absence of official reports (Gen. Lee being too busy in the saddle to write), which have exalted our spirits most wonderfully. The number of prisoners taken, by the lowest estimate is 5000,—the others say 9000,—besides 50 guns, and an immense amount of stores. Our own loss in storming the fortifications was only 100 killed and wounded! Milroy, they say, escaped by flight—but may not have gotten off very far, as it seems certain that our one-legged Lieut.-Gen. Ewell (fit successor of Jackson) pushed on to the Potomac and surrounded, if he has not taken, Harper’s Ferry, where there is another large depot of supplies. The whole valley is doubtless in our possession—the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad—and the way is open into Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is believed Hooker’s army is utterly demoralized, and that Lee is going on. This time, perhaps, no Sharpsburg will embarrass his progress, and the long longed-for day of retributive invasion may come at last.

Col. Gorgas, Chief of Ordnance (Northern born), recommends that the habit of issuing twenty cartridges extra to each of our men be discontinued, and suggests that they be given three cartridges per month, and all over that to be issued upon requisition of the commanding general, on the eve of battle. But might they not, if this were adopted, be liable to be caught sometimes without enough ammunition? He says there is a deficiency of lead.

There is a rumor that the Secretary of the Navy sent an ironclad out yesterday, at Savannah, to fight two of the enemy’s blockading squadron, and that after an engagement of thirty minutes, our ship struck her colors. If this be so, the people will wish that the Secretary had been on the boat that surrendered.

A man by the name of Jackson a short time since obtained a passport through our lines from Judge Campbell, and when a negro was rowing him across the Potomac, drew a pistol and made him take him to a Federal gun-boat in sight. He was heartily received, and gave such information to the enemy as induced them to engage in a raid on the Northern Neck, resulting in the devastation of several counties. These facts I got from the President’s special detective, Craddock. Craddock also informs me that my communication to Col. Johnston was laid before the President, who called in the Secretary of State and the Secretary of War, to consult on some means of regulating the passport business, etc. He says prompt measures will be adopted immediately.

Craddock also informs me that a Jew named Cohen, in this city, has been co-operating with his brother living in the North, obtaining passports both ways for bribes—and bribing the officials that granted them, much to our detriment. This, perhaps, has alarmed the President; but if the business of selling passports be lucrative, I despair of his being able to put an end to it.

I see the enemy have destroyed the President’s house, furniture, etc., in Mississippi.

I have good reason to suppose that the package marked “important,” etc., sent from the President’s office yesterday to the Secretary of War, was the substance of a conversation which took place between Mr. Ould and Mr. Vallandigham. What Mr. V. revealed to Mr. O., perhaps supposing the latter, although employed here, friendly to ultimate reconstruction, there is no means of conjecturing. But it was deemed “highly important.”