April 16, 1863, Tyler Reporter

From camp Ford, the Eastern camp of instruction for Conscripts.

Jefferson Moseley–aged 36 years, 5 feet, 11 inches high, blue eyes, auburn hair, fair complexion, a native of Alabama, by occupation a farmer, a resident of Upshur county, enrolled by W. K. Heath, January 29th 1863.

March 30th 1863.

April 16, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Suffolk Correspondence.

SUFFOLK, Va., Monday Noon, April 13, 1863.

We fired upon the enemy last night, shelling the woods from one of the gunboats over the town, without provoking a reply. There is information current that the rebels are waiting for reinforcements, and moving to outflank us by way of Deep Creek, thus getting between us and Norfolk.

Last evening several trains went down to Portsmouth loaded with women, trunks, &c. Many of the ladies thus skedaddling were Northern ones; yet the majority of them were natives, or, as we express it here, “Our Suffolk girls.”

About sundown a heavy rain set in, and continued up to midnight.

During the day the Adams Express agents had a busy time of it. They have received over a quarter of a million dollars from sutlers and traders. These amounts are to be sent North for deposit, and to various firms.

With the light of day we found a clouded sky and a heavy rain, and occasionally we heard the resounding of heavy guns, sometimes from the gunboats and at others from a redoubt on General Terry’s front. The sharpshooters, too, are doing well.

With our glasses we can see many of the rebels entering the houses of people living near our present line of defence, and even looking inside a few tents we abandoned, and which were occupied by the men and officers assigned to our extreme [continue reading…]

April 15th. This morning, at six o’clock, hove up anchor, and steamed down the river; at ten o’clock, brought ship to anchor five miles above Port Hudson, for the purpose of communicating from masthead, by army signals, with vessels of lower fleet; signalizing from masthead, during the day, with U. S. sloop-of-war Richmond. At six o’clock, Mr. Gabaudan, Admiral’s Secretary, returned on board, in company with some army officers, across the point of land, from lower fleet, after an absence of seven days, upon business of great importance with Major-General Banks at New Orleans. He brought cheering army news. Gen. Augur, with a large force of Banks’s men, was in the rear of Port Hudson, cutting off their possibility of receiving supplies from that quarter, while we had blockaded the mouth of Red River, keeping them from transporting any provisions or stores from Texas out of this stream, and thence down the Mississippi; so the reader must admit that, unless they have a large quantity of beeves and provisions, this rebel stronghold must soon surrender to our arms. Starvation, when it begins, will do the work, which will be better than our being hasty, fighting, and losing thousands of valuable lives.

April. Having been an inmate in the hospital for three months, at my own request, I was allowed to join my company, located at Fort Marshall, east end of Baltimore. Reported to Lieutenant Merwin, commanding company. He would not allow me to go on duty. Wished me to remain at Regimental Hospital for a while until I could get stronger.

15th. Rainy during the night and drizzling in the morning. Went on, leaving the teams. Drew ammunition. Rode along some with A. B. then with Chester. Passed through Nicholasville and Lancaster. Crossed the Kentucky River. Mountains for several miles. Grand scenery. Reminded me of the Alleghanies. Reached Stanford, 45 miles, about 10 P. M. Went on two miles.

April 15, 1863, The New York Herald

The extraordinary combat maintained last week by eight small iron-clads, carrying sixteen guns, with the innumerable batteries and powerful forts by which the entrance to Charleston harbor is defended, is one of the most remarkable events of the great rebellion, prolific as it has been in prodigies of various kinds. Nothing like it is to be found in the whole history of naval warfare; and the fact that the attack was repulsed, and that the pigmy assailants were forced to haul off, does not detract from the marvellousness of the enterprise, but only adds to the lessons which may be learned from the experiment, and which may be profited by in our future operations.

Let us look for a moment at the facts. Seven little turreted Monitors, each carrying two guns; another equally diminutive vessels, built on a different model – the Keokuk – and an armored vessel-of-war – the New Ironsides – carrying as many guns as all the rest combined, moved from their anchorage within the bar of Charleston on Tuesday, the 7th inst., and headed directly toward the city, with instructions to get into a good position to engage Fort Sumter. In endeavoring to get into the desired position the propeller screw of the foremost of them became entangled in a rope netting which the defenders had placed across the channel. This rendered the vessel entirely unmanageable, and for some time she drifted, without any motive power of her own, till at last she got extricated. The other vessels avoided being caught in the same trap. They looked about for another opening, but in vain. They could not get to the north of Fort Sumter without penetrating this network barricade; and to attempt that would have been to render the whole fleet powerless. In this dilemma they drew up against Fort Sumter at distances ranging from three hundred to six hundred yards, and for half an hour maintained a most unequal contest against it. From Sumter, Moultrie and three other powerful defensive works they were subjected to a concentric fire which would have sent to the bottom any wooden fleet that every breasted the waves of ocean. No less than three thousand five hundred rounds were fired at them, which they could only return at the [continue reading…]

Wednesday, 15th–General Quimby’s Division passed on down the river today, and another large fleet of boats loaded with troops passed us for Vicksburg. It is thought that Vicksburg will soon be attacked. Things seem quite lively at present.

15th.—Spent yesterday in the hospital. I am particularly interested in two very ill men. One is a youth of seventeen years, who has been seventeen months in service. Poor boy! he is now sinking with consumption, and has lately been brought to our hospital from another. His case elicits great sympathy and kindness. His name is Stansberry, and he is from Baltimore. We have reason to hope that he is prepared to meet his God.

Letters (underground) from the Valley to-day. Millroy is doing his worst among the dear people there. It is grievous to think how much of Virginia is down-trodden and lying in ruins. The old State has bared her breast to the destroyer, and borne the brunt of battle for the good of the Confederacy, and this too after long and vain efforts for peace. Her citizens, young and old, are doing what they can. Her sons have bled and died, and are still offering themselves willing sacrifices on the country’s altar. Her daughters are striving in their vocation in this hallowed cause, all looking to God for his blessing upon our efforts.

APRIL 15th.—There is a dispatch, unofficial, from the West, contradicting the news of the defeat of Van Dorn. On the Cumberland River, another dispatch says, we have met with new successes, capturing or destroying several more gun-boats. And Wheeler has certainly captured a railroad train in the rear of the enemy, containing a large sum of Federal money, and a number of officers.

We have nothing from the South, except a letter from Gen. Whiting, in regard to some demonstration at Bull Bay, S. C.

Major Griswold, Provost Marshal, is now himself on trial before a court-martial, for allowing 200 barrels of spirits to come into the city. He says he had an order from the Surgeon-General; but what right had he to give such orders? It is understood he will resign, irrespective of the decision of the court.

Congress, yesterday (the House of Representatives), passed a series of resolutions, denying the authority of the government to declare martial law, such as existed in this city under the administration of Gen. Winder. It was a great blunder, and alienated thousands.

We have a seasonable rain to-day.

April 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

 A few days since it was a problem whether the Republican would continue its regular visits to its large list of subscribers or not. The destruction of the paper mill from which we drew our supplies, rendered the prospect gloomy indeed. We are gratified, however, to be able to inform our readers that we have succeeded in contracting permanently for ample supplies of paper, and have reason to believe that we shall be subjected to no interruption during the war. Our arrangements, however, involve necessarily a large additional expenditure of money, and we shall be compelled to increase our prices in order to meet it. Our new terms will be published as soon as they can be definitely settled, and we trust to our subscribers to sustain us in a movement dictated purely by the necessities of the times.

April 15, 1863, Dallas Herald

 A letter from Fort Mason, dated March 17^th, says a party of 16 Indians came to a house just above here, where they found one man and his wife. They had a white flag, and asked for something to eat. While they were eating the man and woman tried to escape, but the woman was overtaken, tied and whipped with a lariat, after which she was scalped and turned loose. The man made his escape. The woman died shortly after.–State Gazette.

April 15, 1863, Montgomery Weekly Advertiser

The Vicksburg Whig says that a female spy was caught a few days ago at Enterprise, on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad.  We learn that passes are now demanded of all travelling females.

April 15, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

 Since our last issue, the paper on which the Watchman is printed advanced three dollars per ream! Our readers must see that we cannot live at this rate. We shall be compelled to advance too or stop entirely. It is doubtful whether we can procure paper of the size used at the present at *any price* much longer, as we believe the superintendents of the paper mills are endeavoring to get all the newspapers to reduce their size, so as, if possible, to supply all with paper. If we shall be compelled to reduce the dimensions of our sheet, we will endeavor to furnish the same amount of reading matter as heretofore, by lessening the space occupied by advertisements.

April 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

 We learn from the Raleigh Progress that a number of women, most of them very abandoned, collected at Greensboro’ the early part of this week and intended to make a mob demonstration similar to that at Richmond and other places, but by the promptness of the authorities, the contemplated disgraceful proceedings were frustrated.

 We are informed also, (says the Progress) that an attempt was made by a number of “hard cases” at Durham’s Depot, on Wednesday. They threatened to break open the warehouse at that place and help themselves to flour, and even had carts there to take off the flour, but they concluded after demonstration, to put it off until Saturday.

 In both cases, we learn, the women represented themselves as soldiers’ wives, but in fact most of them were not, but on the contrary the most degraded and worthless characters that could be congregated in the neighborhood from whence they came. Profligate, unprincipled men, too, we are assured were hounding them on in each case.

April 15, 1863, Montgomery Weekly Advertiser
To His Excellency, John Gill Shorter,
                        Governor of the State of Alabama:
            We, the undersigned, having been appointed a Committee by the officers of the 12th Alabama Regiment, to request that the old colors of the Regiment be placed among the archives of the State, herewith transmit you by the hands of Lieut. Macon, 5th Ala. Regiment, the torn and tattered battle flag of the Twelfth Alabama, the banner that has so long pointed us on to victory, under which we have marched and fought, and fought and marched, under which his last look straining towards it cross of stars, many a heroic Alabamian has freely sealed his devotion with his blood.
            It carries with it our memories of the bloody, historic past, of the toilsome march, the lonely picket, the hasty bivouac, the skirmish, the battle, the victory–memories sweet, though saddened by the remembrance that to many gallant leaders and brave men it was not permitted to join in our triumphant shout.
            How many have fallen under it, let our lists of killed and wounded attest:  Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, be ye our silent, faithful witnesses!  Under it, when for the first time it was given to the battle breeze, fell our noble gallant Colonel, R. T. Jones, whose last command “Forward,” himself lived not to execute, of whom the officer and the gentleman, we, his State and his country may be justly proud.
            Under it at Boonsboro fell, mortally wounded, Col. B. B. Gayle, who, though young in years, was old in gallantry and courage.
            Under it at Sharpsburg, fell Capt. Exton Tucker, commanding the regiment, bravely urging forward his command, both by word and example.
            Not willingly do we part with it.  Every stain upon it is dear to us–every soil has its incident–every tatter is a glorious memento of the past.  Associations cluster thick around.  For more than twelve months it has been to us the symbol of our country’s wrongs, her liberties, her independence.
            But into your hands, as the representative of the Commonwealth of Alabama, we cheerfully entrust it, satisfied that it will be guarded as it assuredly deserves to be, that future generations may gain new courage and resolution while gazing upon its battle-stained folds.
Col. S. B. Pickens, Chairman.
Capt. J. W. McNeely, Co. F.
Capt. H. W. Cox, Co. B.
Committee.
––––
Executive Department,           }
Montgomery, Ala., April 9, 1863.   }
Col. S. B. Pickens, Capts. McNeely, H. W. Cox and Nicholson, Committee 11th Ala. Vol. Regiment:
            Gentlemen–I have received by the hands of Lieut. Macon the “tattered banner” of your Regiment, so often flung “victorious to the breeze,” the sight which prompts memories of noble deeds and of the “gallant dead.”
            Nobly have the sons of Alabama illustrated her character and adorned her history upon every field of renown, and gallantly have they borne their part in the struggle for their country’s independence.  But the scene of triumph is saddened by the memories of the slain, the notes of victory tempered by the wail of mourning.  Your gift will ever speak of a Jones, a Gayle, a Tucker, gallant, gifted and true, mourned and lamented, yet honored and remembered.
            Your flag shall have its place in the archives of the State, there by its memories of the noble deeds of the gallant 12th, and its heroic dead, to inspire to higher resolutions of virtue present and future generations of Alabamians.
            With sentiments of high regard for you individually, and admiration for the deeds of your command,

            I am respectfully,
                        Your ob’t serv’t,
                                    Jno. Gill Shorter,
                                                Governor of Alabama.

April 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

 Different sounds will travel with different velocity–a call to dinner will run over a ten acre lot in a moment and a half, while a summons to work takes from five to ten minutes.

April 15, 1863, Daily Mississippian (Jackson, Mississippi)

Jackson–Its Public Streets–The Negroes, Bond and Free–Nuisances–a Suggestion.

To Editor Mississippian: Jackson, like all other cities, has its public and private evils, that require the waters of purification, the hand of correction, and the pruning hook of reformation. While there are portions of this, the Metropolis of our State, evincing the presence of refined and elegant taste, homes of neatness and of comfort surrounded with the silent evidence of intelligent cultivation, “shrubberies that Shenstone might have envied,” and–

  “Flowers rich in hue, and many of their class;”

while her citizens are courteous, and upon all occasions evince a proper and strongly developed local pride, yet he whose business or pleasure calls him at any hour of the day along either of the two great thoroughfares leading from the Capitol to the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad Depot, must, if a Mississippian, blush for shame of the chief city of his proud State, and if a stranger, pity and execrate the miserable meanness of the authorities of a really pleasant city, who quietly permit these two streets to remain in a condition not only next to impassable, but dangerous to the existence of any thing on wheels, and imminently threatening the safety of the necks of those who attempt to pass through them in any vehicle.

 We have seen, the public have seen, every body has seen, poor, badly conditioned horses, oxen and mules, vainly laboring under the ruthless lash of unfeeling drivers, to pass through the almost “bottomless pits” that abound at the lower end of these streets. We have seen these animals, and even fine young horses, fall down utterly exhausted, in the vain attempt to pass these “Stygian pools, these “Sloughs of Despond.” We have seen them lying prone bleeding at the nose, and we believe rendered comparatively useless ever after by their struggles and throes through the deep mud and mire of these streets. And while our feelings for the poor dumb servants of ungrateful man were keenly aroused, these uncomplaining creatures, ever ready to do his bidding, and lashed even in their attempt to do it, we have been greeted by the smiling face of some respectable “city father,” who quietly looked on, seeming even to enjoy the disgusting scene; while, at the same time, our ears were saluted with deserved slurs from stranger lips on “Mississippi and Mississippians,” and the want of public spirit in Jackson, a city that permits the existence of a nuisance which the meanest little Mugginsville in their own State would not tolerate for a day. These things are unpleasant and humiliating, but they are sadly too true, and if the caustic of public opinion will not burn out the lethargy that allows this state of things to remain, and demand from the authorities the application of the city funds to city improvements, Jackson will become a byword and reproach to every man, woman and child that live in it.

 State and city pride, wisdom, respectability, safety of the life and limbs of those who ride, humanity, ALL demand that the disgraceful condition of these two streets be improved, and the highway made passable. If these influences are impotent with the city “powers that be,” for God’s sake let the improvement be made; and if our respected city fathers are a Godless set, then let them be compelled to drive in weak springed hacks three times a day from the capitol to the Confederate House and back. If they don’t act, after that experiment, “Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone”–elect new men who will do their duty.

 “The negroes have taken Jackson–horse, foot, and dragoons,” was remarked by a friend of our as we walked along one of the fashionable promenades of Jackson a day or two ago. He was a South Carolinian, accustomed to the respectful deportment and subordination of the slave population of that excellent State. His remark was elicited by a group of well dressed negroes, who, arm in arm, were striding along the pavement, smoking cigars, talking and swearing, loud and deep, and perfectly oblivious of the proximity of Caucasian blood. Several times during our walk we saw those civilized descendants of Ham mimicing the air of foppish whites, and carelessly indifferent to the presence of any but “colored gemmen.” Indeed no man can be in Jackson twenty-four hours without censuring the insolence of our negro population. Everybody remarks it. Servants swell along our streets, giving the sidewalk to no one, hardly touching the hat when addressed, and scarcely yielding the way even to ladies. It is becoming as great a nuisance as any of the city has to endure, and if not corrected will lead to the demoralization of the slave himself, and call out from the white man the exercise of that personal chastisement always to be deprecated. The best servants are those kept under proper restraint. Remove that restraint and leave the negro to himself and he becomes a nuisance, and it would redound as much to the well being of the slave as to the good of the city to not only prescribe a line of conduct for him at home and abroad, but to designate a style of dress suited to his condition. Jackson should learn a lesson on this head from her ancient and honorable sister, Charleston, of South Carolina. The streets and the negroes–these two, let them be corrected.

Observer.

April 15, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

 Among other incidents of the battle of Murfreesboro’, we heard of one the other day, in which a soldier observed a rabbit loping across the field under a heavy fire. “Run, cottontail,” he said, “If I hadn’t got a reputation to sustain, I’d travel too!”

April 15, 1863, The New York Herald

The attempt to take Charleston is for the time abandoned. The iron-clad fleet of Admiral Du Pont and the army of General Hunter have been withdrawn to Port Royal. The experiment proved too hazardous. The batteries of the enemy at Sumter, Moultrie and Cummings’ Point, and the obstructions in the channels, presented obstacles too formidable to be overcome by the force brought against them. By the arrival of the Arago from Charleston bar on the 11th inst. we learn these facts. The fire from the batteries was tremendous, as the condition of the Keokuk shows. She was fairly riddled through and through with highly polished steel shot, weighing a hundred pounds each, furnished to the rebels by England. Our vessels fired at the forts, while the latter struck the boats over five hundred and twenty times. The armed transport George Washington was destroyed by the rebels in Coosaw river, near Port Royal, on Thursday morning last, as before reported. She remained behind for special service under Colonel Hawley, who was acting as post commandant at Hilton Head while the forces were away. General Saxton, who was in command at Beaufort, sent for the Washington to make a reconnoissance around the island. In company with the gunboat Hale she went up the Coosaw river, was attacked by a rebel battery, which sent a shot through her magazine and blew her up. The crew were fired upon while attempting to escape, and several of them killed and wounded.

We give still more interesting details from our correspondents today, as well as the comments of the rebel journals. It appears that Colonel Rhett was in command of Fort Sumter, Colonel Butler of Fort Moultrie, Captain Sitgraves of Fort Beauregard, Lieutenant Colonel Simkins of Battery Bee, Major Huger of Battery Wagner, and Lieutenant Lesesne, with a detachment from Fort Sumter, of the battery on Cummings’ Point.

Our correspondence from the Blackwater today gives an interesting account of several of our outposts, and the flight of the women and children. The object of this attack is to prevent reinforcements from reaching Gen. Foster in his perilous position at Washington, N.C., and to cut off our forces at Suffolk from communication with Norfolk, which latter place no doubt the rebels intend to invest. Intelligence reached Fortress Monroe on the 13th that the enemy had retreated four miles from Suffolk, and that the gunboats sent to Foster’s assistance had succeeded in running the rebel batteries.

General McClernand took possession of the little town of Richmond, Miss., on the 30th ult., with a small force, driving the rebel cavalry from the place after two hours’ sharp fighting.

It is said that skirmishing has been going on at Fairfax Court House between General Stahel’s forces and the rebels since Sunday, without much result. There is no other news from Gen. Hooker’s army.

April 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

All was quiet in the direction of the Bar yesterday.

The enemy is known to be in considerable force on Seabrook’s and Kiawah Islands. His force on Coles’ Island is estimated at about 3000 men. Eight vessels, half of the number being gunboats, are anchored near by in the Stono.

On Monday last a detachment of twenty men from Eutaw Regiment, under Lieut. LESESNE, reported to Major BEN BURGH SMITH for special duty, and under his command proceeded to scout Long Island. The men, deployed as skirmishers, swept the island, but found no Yankees. About nine o’clock the enemy movements on Coles’ Island indicated that our scouts had been observed. Several detachments were put in motion through the marsh towards Long Island. Captain S. LEROY HAMMOND, who had shouldered his rifle and was with our scouts as a volunteer, was sent forward to watch these men in the marsh, and to keep Major SMITH advised of their movements. While kneeling in the grass, watching the enemy in front, he heard a bush crack to the right, and turning beheld a whole platoon of Yankees emerging from the woods, about twenty-five yards from him. Captain HAMMOND fired, and one of the Yankees was seen to fall; and then retreating, the whole platoon fired, and though the balls whizzed over and dug the earth around him, he escaped unhurt, and communicating with Major SMITH, the detachment was led to a point to cut off the Yankees, but they […..]’ with such speed that it was impossible to catch them. They fought retreating, and the bullets whizzed sharply for awhile. Another of the Yankees was supposed to have been wounded. ‘Nobody hurt’ on our side.

Major SMITH counted thirty-one Yankees. After getting beyond the range of our guns they sent for reinforcements, and our scouts deemed it advisable to leave.

April 15, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

A gentleman, for whom we can vouch, native and to the manor born here, relates to us an instance of Yankee deviltry that we regret saying is not without its parallel in this war. Very recently a foraging party of the enemy, escorted by a command of cavalry, visited the premises of Mr. Anthony in Williamson county.–The colonel, major and other officers entered the house and indulged in the usual freedom and license. At the same time they permitted a number of negro teamsters to seize the daughters of Mr. Anthony, and ravish these unprotected females. Their mother besought the protection of the officers, but these brutal men only cursed her as a d____d rebel, saying that they understood that the husbands of her daughters were in the Confederate service, and they were being served properly thus to be outraged by a race they had enslaved.

 We have no comments to make upon this.–It is a saddening, sickening picture of the condition to which society is reduced wherever the vandals of the North pollute our soil. But it is only the execution of the threat which General Rosecranz made three months ago when he assumed command of the army of the Cumberland. he then threatened to devastate the country with fire and sword, and his underlings are faithfully executing his barbarous order.–God help every section of our struggling and bleeding country that may be subject to these worse than savages, and God grant that our mothers may soon be relieved from the contaminating presence of these demons in human shape.–Shelbyville Banner.

April 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

As the grand attack on Charleston seems, for the present, to have fizzled out in the repulse of the iron-plated fleet, and since the reduction of Vicksburg appears to be now abandoned by the withdrawing enemy, we look to Tennessee for the next scene in the drama of the war. We trust that the army has been strengthened sufficiently to do its work of redemption, both in that State and in Kentucky. Gen. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON is a host in himself. If he is adequately provided, we entertain no doubt of the result.

Meantime, our skulking foe may bother and annoy us on the coast of South Carolina, until further preparations and consultations lead to a renewed movement on a scale of magnitude. The enemy can operate with tolerable impunity, as regards climate, to the end of May or middle of June, and there is still time enough left to try a campaign or siege. But the late fizzle cannot fail to demoralize and weaken the foe. Let us, therefore, be vigilant, and relax no exertion.

April 15, 1863, Charleston Mercury

 That noble charity, the Free Market of Charleston, is, we regret to learn, badly in need of support. Nearly eight hundred families of soldiers now in the service are dependent upon this beneficent institution for sustenance. A heavy outlay is required to meet the wants of so many worthy and destitute persons. The expense foots up fully $10,000 per month, and the task of providing this large amount has fallen of late upon a small number of liberal gentlemen. But the burthen has now grown too heavy for them longer to sustain alone, and unless our citizens come to their aid, the Free Market, which is already $5000 in debt, must close on the 5th of May. We trust, for the fame and humanity of Charleston, that this good enterprise, which is absolutely indispensable for the alleviation of want in our midst, will not be suffered to fall to the ground in this the crisis of our fortunes as a community.

April 15, 1863, Montgomery Weekly Advertiser

From the Richmond Whig.

 In deference to the weak suggestion of authorities who are scarcely less afraid to acknowledge a disagreeable truth than the despotism at Washington, the papers of this city forbore to make mention of the riot which occurred on Thursday morning last.

 When Fort Donelson fell, the news was kept back from the people for nearly a week, and to repeated inquiries made at the War Office, the answer was given that the Government was in possession of no intelligence. This was to have been expected from the person then at the head of the War Department, but under the new regime the people had a right to expect, and did expect, courage and common sense. To suppose that in a city containing nearly a hundred thousand people, every tongue and every pen could be checked, in obedience to the request of any human being whatever, and because the newspapers were silent–to believe, for an instant, that the throng of “special correspondents” would pass over the most precious item that has fallen into their nets since the war began–to hope that the courts would close their doors and investigate crime in secret session–to dream that passengers leaving by the cars, farmers going out on horseback, women in buggies and hucksters in chicken carts, would one and all be stricken dumb, or, retaining possession of their speech, would refuse to tell their wives, children, friends, neighbor, and gossips the marvelous story of the great “bread” riot–the breaking open of stores–the calling out of the military–the appeals of old citizens–the repeated reading of the riot act by the Mayor–the eloquent harangues of the President in a furniture wagon to a crowd of innocent men, squares away from the scene of female burglarism in broad daylight, suppose that all this could be suppressed by any agency conceivable, much less the meek silencing of the papers, is, to say the very least of it, the silliest expectation that ever entered the brains of men outside of strait-jackets.

 This timidity, or want of common sense, or whatever else it may be called, must be regarded as by far the worst part of the business. The riot itself is as nothing compared to it. If the authorities who rule this Confederacy are so pusillanimous as to fear the truth, whatever it may be, or so deficient in intellect as to suppose that such a thing as a female riot could occur in Richmond, at any time of the day or night, and not be known outside of the city limits, then are we just as badly off as if we were starving. We are not starving, nor are we on the verge of it; but the ostrich system of hiding the head behind a leaf whenever danger is near, or thought to be near, does obtain in our councils; and there, and there only, is the only real trouble perceptible in this whole matter.

 Happily, these daylight burglaries are undergoing judicial investigation; a great part of the stolen goods has been reclaimed; the ringleaders are being arrested; they will be tried and punished; a full account of the affair, from its obscure origin to its disgraceful culmination, will be made public; and the exaggerations that have gone to the country will be counteracted.