March 2, 1863, The New York Herald

The passage in Congress on Saturday last of the bill taxing banks concludes the series of financial measures urged by the administration, and invests Secretary Chase with more power than was ever possessed by any other Secretary of the Treasury. He is now authorized to sell, at whatever price he may choose, nine hundred millions of dollars worth of bonds, to run not less than ten or nor more than forty years. He is permitted to issue four hundred millions of dollars in Treasury notes, to run not more than three years, to bear any interest he pleases, under six per cent, and to be a legal tender or exchangeable for legal tender notes on presentation, as he may desire. He is allowed to issue one hundred and fifty millions of dollars more in legal tender notes (including the one hundred millions lately authorized by joint resolution) if he deems it necessary. In other words, Congress has placed the finances of the country entirely in the hands of Secretary Chase, and, through him, under the control of President Lincoln. The following table will show the amount of paper money we are about to have, without including the one hundred and fifty millions of new legal tender authorized to be used in converting the Treasury notes: –

AMOUNT OF PAPER MONEY AFLOAT AND AUTHORIZED.

Bank currency now afloat……………………………..$167,000,000
New bank currency under Chase’s act………….. 300,000,000
Legal tender, under acts of 1862………………….. 300,000,000
Legal tender, under act of 1863…………………….150,000,000
Treasury notes convertible into legal tender…400,000,000
Postal currency……………………………………………… 50,000,000
…………………………………………………………………….. __________
Total amount of paper money……………………..$1,367,000,000

The best thing which can be said of this record is that we could not do otherwise under the circumstances. Secretary Chase started our finances upon the wrong tack, and we had no choice but to go ahead or back out of the war. That an [continue reading…]

March 2, 1863, The New York Herald

The same influences that have enhanced the price of stocks and given an impetus to speculations in real estate are for the moment helping greatly the interests of art. Whenever there is a sale of really good pictures the prices realized compare favorably with those of any former period, even in the most prosperous times. It would seem as if almost every one was desirous of investing something in a description of property which, where discrimination is used, gains, instead of losing, by being kept. There are few instances in which a picture by an artist of reputation will not sell for more than was originally given for it. Like old wine, its marketable value increases with age. This fact was never more appreciated than it is just now. In the doubt which exists in regard to the safety of securities, whether rightly or wrongly, people rush to investments which are not liable to be affected by political events. As an evidence of this we need only point to the results of the sale of the collection known as the International Art Institution, which took place last week. Foreign works of a fair average character brought unusually large prices, whilst many of an inferior class realized sums considerably beyond their value. For one picture alone – a portrait of Humboldt – by Schrader, of Berlin, Mr. A. T. Stewart paid fifteen hundred dollars – in this instance not too much for a work of so much merit.

The tendency to speculate in this direction will lead to the formation of a great many private collections, which will in their turn react favorably on the interest of American artists. The gentlemen whom we have just named, Mr. Stewart, is, we understand, purchasing extensively, with a view to the formation of a large gallery to be attached to his private residence. He could not expend a portion of his immense wealth to more advantage, either in reference to the gratification of his individual tastes or to its speculative results. Another of our citizens has, since his retirement from business, been quietly purchasing up all the good pictures that he can lay his hands upon, with what purpose is not exactly known, but it is believed to be for a highly praiseworthy and patriotic object. The galleries of Mr. Aspinwall, Mr. Lennox, Mr. Belmont Mr. Wright and other patrons of the arts are constantly receiving fresh accessions from abroad, [continue reading…]

March 2, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

From the Jackson, Mississippian of the 21st, we get the following particulars of the capture of the Federal gunboat Queen of the West:

On Wednesday of last week the Queen ran past Natchez and anchored two miles below. The DeSoto followed her, stopping just above the landing, where she destroyed several flat boats and skiffs. From one of the […..] she took three boys prisoners, who were raised in Natchez. The Queen of the West remained at anchor in protecting distance while these depredations were carried out by the DeSoto. They both then steamed away together, the boys having been placed on the Queen of the West. The two vessels proceeded down the river, entered Red river, and at or near the mouth of the Atchafalaya Bayou, the Era No. 5, with a load of corn for Port Hudson, was captured. They were fired upon at the mouth of the Atchafalaya, by a right battery, when the captain of the Queen was killed. In revenge, they steamed down the Bayou, and utterly destroyed six plantations by shelling them. They pressed the pilot of the Era No. 5, who deceived them as to the location and strength of our batteries. One of the boys captured at Natchez heard Colonel Ellett repeatedly assert that before he would surrender he would blow the boat up, but when he was fired upon by our batteries his feather immediately wilted and his only anxiety was the safety of his precious person. He was afterwards seen floating down the river on a bale of cotton.

The Natchez Courier has the following report of the affair: The engagement lasted above one hour, when twenty-five of the crew were taken prisoners – ten or twelve were drowned – And Col Ellett, who was in command of the Queen, cowardly forsook his boat and floated down the stream on a cotton bale. He own crew shot at him for his cowardice. The Queen had on board six heavy guns. The DeSoto was scuttled and sunk by her crew, as well as the coal boat in tow. The Era No. 5, being in possession of the Federal guard below the scene of action, she soon put out to the Mississippi River, bringing with her our informant, Thomas O’Brian, who was afloat in the river on a cotton bale, and who brings us this intelligence. About ten miles below Natchez the Era No. 5 met the Federal gunboat Indianola, carrying four 11 inch guns and about 200 men. Here both boats came to an anchor, and our informant made his escape.

Young O’Brien and two others were kept on board the Queen of the West as prisoners, during the attack of our batteries. He says that every shell from the Confederate batteries carried destruction to the boat and crew. The first shell completely cleared the gun deck of her men, and the second or third came crashing through her engines, cutting her steam pipe in twain, and completely disabling the gunboat. She will soon be got off for repairs. On the Era, when taken, were two Confederate officers and twenty-five privates. The privates were paroled. The victory on Red River was complete. The amount of stores taken is large.

March 2, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Memphis Correspondence.

MEMPHIS, Feb. 24, 1863.

Late despatches have just been received at headquarters here containing the following important intelligence:–

About sixty officers and men of the Third Michigan cavalry recently surprised the rebel troops in the town of Clifton, on the Tennessee river, taking the rebel Colonel Newsom prisoner, with sixty-one officers and men. Captain C. Newe, of the Third Michigan cavalry, was wounded in the leg. Among those injured on the rebel side were Colonel Newsom, right arm shattered; Lieut. Shelby, shot in the shoulder.

We captured forty good horses, saddles, arms, &c.; also a large quantity of commissary stores and the ferries. The town was burned.

It is reported that Van Dorn is at Columbia, Tennessee.

When our men had recrossed the river, and when about leaving, a fleet of five gunboats came up. The prisoners were turned over to Lieutenant Fitch, Flag Officer aboard.

Several boats have arrived from below since Saturday. Their information shows that no visible progress has been made in the operations. Our latest intelligence was to the effect that a mortar boat had taken a position above the point this side of Vicksburg, and had fired a few shell, which had drawn down a severe fire from three batteries. Contrary to expectation, the mortar boat has retained its position, and occasionally throws a shell. When she does so an answering fire comes prompt and sharp. Whenever any boat approaches the point a quick reminder comes from shot and shell, admonishing the intruder that he has approached forbidden limits. Thus far none of these irregular shots have done injury. Some of the boats on leaving noticed signals flying from Commodore Porter’s flagship the Uncle Sam, which they supposed to be indicative of some movement. A scow had been run through the canal, and the work, on it is steadily proceeding. The work at Lake Providence obtains hold on the confidence of river men and others. Some express a doubt of a sufficient flow of water being obtained; but the more experienced river men appear to think the danger rather lies in [continue reading…]

March 1, 1863, The New York Herald

The reports from the cut-off at Vicksburg are most favorable. It is said that the channel has been cut to a depth of six feet, and that the transport Lebanon, a wide-wheel steamer, passed through, and that most of the fleet lying above were about to follow. Our special correspondence from there will be found full of interesting details.

An effort was made by the rebels to obstruct the expedition through Yazoo Pass, by putting trees and stumps into the Cold Water river near Moon Lake, through which our boats had passed. Some of the Illinois cavalry had a skirmish on Friday last with sixty rebels, and dispersed them, after killing six and capturing twenty-six of the enemy.

By the arrival of the Arago from Port Royal we learn that the differences between Generals Hunter and Foster are being healed up by the intervention of Adjutant General Townsend. Brigadier General Stevenson has been honorably released from arrest. The troops from North Carolina are to be removed from General Hunter’s district, greatly to their delight. It is said that our iron-clad navy will soon have complete control of Charleston harbor.

The Africa at this port brings news from Europe to February 15 – two days later.

The late privateer Sumter – now called the Gibraltar – had arrived at Liverpool.

The London Times points out, in a satirical editorial, that the entertainment of Mr. Mason, the rebel Commissioner in London, by the Lord Mayor of that city, and the speech delivered by the former gentleman on the occasion, are not to be considered as possessing the slightest national importance.

A mass meeting in support of Mr. Lincoln’s emancipation policy was to be held in Liverpool on the 19th of February.

The address of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, in reply to the American contributors of food for the distressed operatives of Lancashire by the ship George Griswold, was to be publicly presented to the commander of that vessel on the 16th of February.

The French Emperor was despatching large reinforcements – or it may be the nucleus of a very powerful army – to Mexico.

The Rio Grande City correspondent of the Liverpool Journal of Commerce makes some very serious charges against the United States officials in and near that place for encouraging raids on the Mexican frontier, and vice versa on Americans in Texas, whom they accused of being either open rebels or disloyal in sentiment.

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.