Friday, December 13.– Another beautiful winter day – cold, quiet. Sun strong enough to thaw all mud and ice. No ice on streams yet that will bear a man. Building redoubts at either end of town. Since I came to Virginia in July, I have not shaved; for weeks at a time I have slept in all clothes except boots (occasionally in boots and sometimes with spurs), a half dozen times on the ground without shelter, once on the snow. I have wore [worn] no white clothing (shirts, drawers, etc.) for four months; no collar or neckerchief or tie of any sort for two months; and have not been the least unwell until since I have taken winter quarters here in a comfortable house. Now I have but a slight cold.

Headquarters Second Brigade,
Hilton Head, S. C.
November 13th, 1861.

My dear Mother:

I am delighted, after several busy days, once more to have an opportunity to quiet the uneasiness of your anxious heart, and assure you of my continued welfare. We are now fairly ensconced on South Carolina soil. Our headquarters are at an old wooden building innocent of paint, but rendered interesting by a large hole in the side, caused by the passage of one of our shot. These were pleasant places that the planters have abandoned us, and though conscious that our victory has been glorious, and that a heavy blow has been struck, would to God that this war had never visited us, and that the planters were once more peacefully cultivating their pleasant homes. The country for many miles around has fallen into the hands of our armies, and, unhappily, victors are apt to be ruthless in destroying the property of conquered enemies.

However, the season of pillage is almost over. Our camps are being well guarded, and the opportunities for the escape of straggling parties of marauders have ceased. Every effort has been made to check wanton excesses, and it has been made for a few days past almost the sole duty of the Aides to scour the country for the purpose of intercepting parties wandering about without proper authority. In this manner I have come to see something of neighboring plantations, which are among the wealthiest in South Carolina.

I wrote you before that here lived the Pinckneys, the Popes, a gentleman named Jenkins-Stoney, and others whose names may or may not be familiar to you. Their houses are in the old fashioned Southern mansion style, and show evidences of luxury and comfort.

By-the-way, I saw a letter from a Secession soldier named Lusk the other day, which dilated much on the justice of the Southern cause, and the certainty that God would give the South the victory. I hear there is, or was previous to our arrival, a large family of Lusks at Beaufort, a few miles distant. I regret to say that the letter I have mentioned did not show the writer to have displayed any great diligence in studying his spelling-book in the days of early youth. The weather here is warm as summer. Oranges hang still in ripe profusion on the trees, the cotton remains unpicked, and the corn remains for us to gather. Negroes crowd in swarms to our lines, happy in the thought of freedom, dancing, singing, void of care, and vainly dreaming that all toil is in future to be spared, and that henceforth they are to lead that life of lazy idleness which forms the Nigger’s Paradise. I fear that before long they have passed only from the hands of one taskmaster into the hands of another.

All this long time I get no news from home, and am eagerly, impatiently, awaiting the advent of the mail which is to recompense for the long weeks of waiting. I may write very irregularly, as my time was never so little my own as now. I think, when the “Vanderbilt” returns, you will see my old school friend Sandford, who will bear you news of me. Sandford is a young fellow, of the family of the name, so extensively engaged in shipping interests. I mention this as possibly Uncle Phelps may know of them. Have Lilly and Tom any intention of soon being married? I send by Sandford a hundred dollars of my pay home to be delivered to Uncle Phelps, and would like $25.00 of it to be expended in buying Lilly, when the wedding day comes, some remembrance from brother Will. I enclose in this letter a $5.00 bill to be especially employed in the purchase of toys for the children. I would like much to see little Willie and Turlie once more. If I possibly can, I shall try and get a leave of absence about Christmas time, though I hardly expect to be successful. Walter, I suppose, is fairly home by this time. I would have written before, congratulating him upon the arrival of his little boy, but have been waiting to get hold of the letter which announces it. Beyond the fact that he is a father I know nothing.

Give love to all my friends, and all who feel an interest in me. I would like to see you soon again, which, in fact, is the burthen of all the Southern letters we have intercepted. There is one thing very conspicuous in all letters from Southern soldiers. I refer to the deep religious vein pervading them. Their religious impressions seem to be warmer than those of our troops. One poor fellow fears their cause is doomed because of the fearful immorality in their ranks. “Why,” he writes, “I even hear that officers have been known to curse the men under their command.”

Good-bye,

Very Affec’y.,

Will.

November 13. – The Legislature of Tennessee passed a law authorizing Governor Harris, of that State, to seize all private arms and call ten thousand men into service.

–The Eleventh regiment Maine Volunteers, under command of Colonel Caldwell, passed through Boston to-day, en route for Annapolis, Md, to join Gen. Burnside’s brigade. They were accompanied by one hundred and ten men, sharpshooters, commanded by Capt. James D. Fessenden, (a son of Senator Fessenden,) and one hundred recruits for the Fourth Maine regiment. – Boston Evening Transcript, Nov. 14.

– Gen. Zollicoffer, with his entire army, retreated from Cumberland Ford to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and blockaded the road along the entire distance by blasting immense rocks from the hills on either side.– N. Y. Times, Nov. 16.

– To-day, at Washington, Colonel John Cochrane delivered an address to his regiment in the presence of Secretary Cameron and other distinguished persons.

The most important point in his argument was relative to the treatment of slaves during the present contest. He said we need to use every means in our power to subdue the rebellion. We should take their cotton and sell or burn it a was best, confiscate their property, and when necessary take their lives; and as their slaves are used as an element of strength against us, we should not hesitate to take them if necessary, and to place arms in their hands that they might assist in establishing the rights of common humanity. – (Doc. 157.)

John S. Inskip, Chaplain of the New York Fourteenth regiment, in a letter thanking the Young Men’s Christian Association for the gift of a chapel tent, gives a good account of the morals of the army.– (Doc. 158.)

– General Dix ordered four thousand troops from Baltimore to march into and locate themselves in Accomac and Northampton Counties, Va. Accomac County is loyal, and will receive the troops; but Northampton County, it is said, is disposed to resist them. General Dix issued a most important proclamation, stating that the object of the advance of his troops is to maintain the authority of the Government, to protect the people and restore commerce to its original channel; that no one held to service under the laws of the State shall be interfered with, and that unless resistance is offered no fireside will be molested.–(Doc. 159.)

–Several citizens of Baltimore addressed the President on behalf of the unemployed and destitute laborers and mechanics in that city, when the President promised that they should enjoy a fair share in the labor incident to the supply of Government material, etc.–N. Y. Commercial, November 16.

Captain Lyon to the Racine Advocate.

“Greenville, Wayne Co., Mo.

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1861.

“Editor Advocate: By looking at the map you will see that this place is about 40 miles south of Pilot Knob, and nearly west of Cairo. In company with a detachment of some 300 of Col. Baker’s 1st Indiana Cavalry, a battery of artillery from Col. Blair’s 1st Missouri Regiment, under command of Capt. Manter, and the 21st Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, Col. Alexander, we left Pilot Knob on the 5th inst. for the purpose of paying our respects to a rebel force reported to have gathered at Bloomfield, the county seat of Stoddard county, distant from this place fifty miles in a southeast direction.

“We arrived here on the 7th, and on the 8th and 9th (Friday and Saturday) marched to the Indian Ford, 25 miles, in the northeast part of Butler county, on the St. Francis river. On Sunday morning we were ordered to turn back and retrace our steps, and we arrived at this place again at 10 o’clock this morning, having marched ninety miles in a week. It is understood that the commander of the expedition received reliable intelligence that the rebels had dispersed, which rendered it unnecessary to proceed to Bloomfield.

“On our arrival here we met the Illinois 38th, which had been ordered to follow us. We expect to remain here a few days and then return to Pilot Knob, from whence, it is generally believed, we shall soon go to Kentucky.

“Our first two days’ march was through a rugged, mountainous and sterile country; the last three was through a better country, yet we saw but few farms which a Wisconsin man would consider worth cultivating. The surface, except in a few narrow valleys, seems to be underlaid with rock and uncultivable. Timber of all kinds is plentiful.

“Everything is perfectly stagnant. The dwellings are the worst kind of log houses, except in the villages, and you see no barns, no carriages, no farming implements, even, of any account. I have seen but one barn worthy the name during the whole march. You may travel all day here, probably, without meeting a settler who can read or write.

“A resident here, a gentleman of intelligence, conversing on this subject, illustrated the ignorance of the masses by relating to me an anecdote of a member of the Legislature from this county who was asked to state the population of his county. He replied, ‘Coonskins and peltry.’ ‘I do not mean the products of your county,’ said his interrogator, ‘I want to know the census of it.’ ‘Oh, you mean the senses, do you?’ replied the Honorable Member, ‘why, they are mostly d–d fools!’

“Greenville is the county seat of Wayne county, and has been such for 35 years. It is very pleasantly situated on the St. Francis river, and contains buildings sufficient for a population of about 100. In common with all the villages in this county, however, it is nearly deserted. Hardee made it his headquarters for several weeks in the summer, when the Union men fled; and now that we occupy the place, ‘Secesh’ has to do the same thing.

“Most of the people, however, are passive. They are for the Union now, and doubtless when the rebels were here they were on the other side; and after seeing them we think it is of but little consequence which side they are on.

“Our troops respect the rights of property, taking comparatively little without compensation. The truth of history compels me to admit, however, that a process which the soldiers call ‘jerking’ has been indulged in to a trifling extent, when we were in the neighborhood of pigs and chickens, and rations were scarce.

“We are having the measles extensively in the 8th. We left three of our company at Pilot Knob just getting over this disease, and have several with us who were attacked after we left there. It is of a mild type, however. Those who have this disease, or have had it, are Mack, Olp, Lowe, Humphrey, McPherson, Dunham and Osterlough. Their relatives need not be uneasy about them, as they are well cared for and are not dangerously sick.

“The weather is very warm and dry. At Pilot Knob, which you know is amongst the mountains, the nights were invariably cold; but here in a lower region they are comfortably warm. Indeed, it seems more like September than November. We pitch our tents every night and sleep upon the ground, with nothing but our rubber cloth under us and our blankets over us, and our sleep is sound and refreshing. We eat our Pilot bread or hard tack and pork with a keen relish, and we give up the comforts and luxuries of our homes with much less of regret, and adapt ourselves to our new mode of life much more easily than we supposed possible.

“I neglected to mention that our camp at Pilot Knob and about 200 of our regiment are left under the command of Lieut. Bartlett during our absence.

“Dr. Murta takes this to Pilot Knob, where he goes to make arrangements for the accommodation of our sick men. The doctor labors day and night in the discharge of his duties, and his services are invaluable to the regiment.

Respectfully,

Wm. P. Lyon.”

Camp Ewing, Virginia, up New River, twelve miles above Gauley. November 12. Tuesday. – Officer of the day. Rode to Townsend’s Ferry to see Major Crawford’s folly. Saw it. Preparations to cross New River although the enemy must be aware of our purpose – a thing difficult if unopposed, impossible and ruinous if opposed. Why don’t these generals have common sense?

November 12.–Three regiments, and two companies of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, were sent from Bowling Green in the direction of Scottsville, Ky., supposed for Gen. Zollicoffer’s relief. This movement originated in the report of an advance by the National troops on Danville.–Bowling Green Courier, Nov. 12.

–Judge Haliburton, of the Confederate District Court at Richmond, charged a Grand Jury on the law of treason, and described as “alien enemies” “all citizens of the United States, except citizens of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.”–(Doc 153.)

–Thirty-seven contraband negroes arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., having walked northward from Accomac County on the peninsula of Virginia. They were supplied with money by the Wisconsin troops. Numbers of these people are constantly arriving at Philadelphia, which has stimulated a public meeting to be held to assist them.–Boston Transcript, November 14.

–Six regiments of infantry, two batteries of artillery, and three companies of cavalry, under command of Gen. Heintzelman, made a reconnoissance to-day, as far as Occoquan Creek, about Twenty-five miles from Washington, D. C., or eighteen miles from Alexandria, Va. They started at four o’clock in the morning and returned late in the evening. The entire force first went to Pohick Church, and there divided –a portion taking the telegraph road to Burk’s Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; the other the road to a point on the Occoquan Creek, about three miles from the Potomac River. The latter crossed Pohick and Accotinck Creeks, and reached Occoquan without meeting with any opposition. Capt. Todd’s company of Lincoln Cavalry, which was with the party that went in the direction of Burk’s Station, were sent out to make a reconnoissance in advance of the infantry, and when several miles from the other part of the division were suddenly surrounded by a large number of rebels who had been concealed in the woods. Their only hope of escape, therefore, was by cutting their way through, and a skirmish accordingly occurred, the cavalry effecting their purpose, but with a loss of three men killed, one wounded, and three taken prisoners, including Capt. Todd, who had ventured too far in advance of his command. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, Gen. Heintzelman ordered the troops to return to their encampments.–(Doc. 154.)

–This afternoon six companies of the Fifth regiment N. Y. S. V., or New York Zouaves, left their encampment at Federal Hill, near Baltimore, and took the steamer Pocahontas, for Salisbury, Md. They were commanded by Col. Governeur K. Warren.–Baltimore American, November 13.

–Several new military departments were defined by general order as follows: The Department of New Mexico is to be commanded by Col. E. R. S. Canby; the Department of Kansas, including Kansas, part of the Indian Territory, Nebraska, Colorado, and Dakota, is to be commanded by Maj.-Gen. Hunter; the Department of Missouri, including Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky west of the Cumberland River, is to be commanded by Maj.-Gen. Halleck; the Department of Ohio, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky east of the Cumberland River, and Tennessee, is to be commanded by Brig.-Gen. Buell; the Department of Western Virginia, including that portion of the State lately in the old Department of Ohio, is to be commanded by Brig.-Gen. Rosecrans.–N. Y. Tribune, November 13.

–An attack was made on the vessels of the United States fleet, in the Mississippi River, at the head of the Passes, by the steam ram Manassas, accompanied and assisted by the Calhoun, three guns; the Joy, two guns; the Jackson, two guns; the McRae, six guns; the Tuscarora, three guns; and the Pickens, five guns. These vessels were under command of Capt. Hollins. The Manassas, armed with a false prow, approached the U. S. ship Richmond, at three A. M., and by the force of the concussion broke a hole a foot square into the Richmond’s bow, near the water line. She then made for the Vincennes, which ship evaded her. A brisk fire was opened upon the Manassas from the Richmond and the Preble, and deranged her machinery. Signals were then sent up from the Manassas, and several fire-ships were let loose above, and came down the current of the river with the other vessels of the rebel fleet behind. In their endeavors to evade the fire-ships, the Vincennes and Richmond both got aground. Some attempt was made by the rebels to press the attack upon the vessels aground, but they were beaten off without difficulty.– (Doc. 155.)

–One of the police guard of Alexandria, Va., arrested a little girl, to-day, who wore a red and white cape, alleging that the colors of the cape were obnoxious. The mother of the girl accompanied her to the office of the Provost-Marshal, where she stated that the article of dress had been made four years since. Capt. Griffith promptly ordered the release of the little lass, and directed the guard to devote his attention in future to weightier matters than the clothing of children.–Alexandria News.

–Capt. John Brown’s company of sharpshooters arrived at Camp Jennison, Kansas City, Mo., and were attached to the command of Colonel Jennison.–(Doc. 160.)

–The privateer schooner Beauregard, of Charleston, S. C., Capt. Hay, was captured one hundred miles east-northeast of Abaco, by the W. G. Anderson, U. S. Navy, Lieut. W. C. Rogers commanding.–(Doc. 156.)

– By general order issued this day, all officers appointed on the staff of Gen. Fremont, from civil life, were dismissed the service; and all of his appointments not hitherto sanctioned by the President were cancelled.

Camp Ewing, November 11. Monday. – Today private Roach, Company I, was killed by a pistol shot accidentally discharged by a comrade. Rode down to reconnoitre enemy’s position up the river. Saw Captain Mack fire at them with Parrott six-pound guns.

November 11.–At Columbus, Ky., a Dahlgren gun exploded, killing two lieutenants and six privates. General Polk narrowly escaped. A portion of his clothes were torn off.–N. Y. Evening Post, November 14.

–One Hundred And Tnx men of the Kansas Jayhawkers, under Col. Anthony, attacked a rebel camp on the Little Blue, near Kansas City, defeated the rebels, and captured a large number of horses. The Federal loss was eight killed and eight wounded. The rebel loss is not known.–(Doc. 151.)

–The Richmond Enquirer gives the subjoined list of property subject to the war tax in the South:

“Real estate, including all lands and estates therein, with ferries, bridges, and mines; slaves of all ages; merchandise, of all kinds, for sale, except agricultural products of the country; bank stock, except such as may be returned the bank, by its proper officer; railroad and other corporate stock; money at interest, including bills and all notes and securities bearing interest, except Confederate bends; cash on hand or deposit, in bank or elsewhere; cattle, horses, and mules, raised or held for sale; gold watches; gold and silver plate; pianos, and pleasure carriages.”

–The Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment, Col. John Kurtz, left Boston, via Fall River and New York, for Annapolis.–The obsequies of Col. Baker, killed at Ball’s Bluff, took place in New York City. At eleven A. M., the procession consisting of the Seventy-first regiment N. Y. S. M., with full band and drum corps, the staff of the First Division, and numerous residents of Philadelphia, Washington, and the city, hailing from the Pacific slope of the Republic, marched down Broadway, and by Battery Place and West street to Pier No. 8, North River, where the body was received on board the steamer Northern Light, which shortly afterward sailed for the Isthmus of Panama, whence the remains were conveyed to their last resting-place, near San Francisco. Flags were at half-mast on the City Hall and other public buildings, and the whole scene was very impressive.–N. Y. Times, November 12.

–A Grand torch-light procession, in honor of General McClellan, took place at Washington. The entertainment was planned by General Blenker’s division. The procession, after passing the President’s house, halted at that of General McClellan, and serenaded the General. Speeches were delivered by Secretary Cameron, Mr. Seward, and Gen. Blenker, after which the procession moved through the city and across the Potomac.–A reconnoissance was made by Col. Weber in the direction of New Market bridge, near Fortress Monroe. The rebels were met in some force, but were compelled to retire with a loss of two killed and several wounded. –N. Y. Commercial, November 18.

–The Fifty-second N. Y. regiment, Col. Paul Frank, left its encampment on Staten Island, and proceeded to Amboy on its way to Washington. The regiment numbers nearly a thousand men, all of whom are thoroughly uniformed, armed, and equipped.–N. Y. Times, Nov. 12.

–Within the last ten days over fourteen thousand soldiers have been entertained at the Volunteer Refreshment Saloons, in Philadelphia, Pa. From the 2d to the 8th inst., nine thousand and seventeen troops were transported over the Camden and Amboy, and Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad to the South.–Philadelphia Ledger, November 9.

–Guyandotte in Western Virginia, the scene of the massacre of a number of men of the Ninth Virginia regiment, was burned by two hundred men of the Fifth Virginia regiment.– Wheeling Intelligencer, Nov. 14.

–Col. Graham, of the Excelsior Brigade, crossed the Potomac at Matthias Point with five hundred men, and made a reconnoissance. He found no enemy or batteries at the point, and saw but one rebel picket, who was killed by one of the advance pickets because he attempted to run away. The rebels were in force some nine miles in the interior, but refused to offer battle to the reconnoitring party. Much forage for rebel cavalry was destroyed. The troops returned to their encampment, near Port Tobacco, on the Maryland shore, without the loss of a single man. Subsequent to their return they learned that, at Boyd’s Hole, only a few miles below, the rebels had a battery of six heavy guns, which it was believed the forces could have taken had they been aware of the fact when they were on the Virginia shore.– (Doc. 152.)

Camp Ewing, November 10 (Sunday night late), 1861.

Dearest: – I have just returned from a hard day’s work examining the romantic mountain gorge of New River which we are preparing to cross, but which I suspect we shall not cross. A glorious day – exciting, and delightfully spent.

Got your letter by Dr. Clendenin on my return at dark. A good letter, darling. Write ’em often.

Yes, Frémont’s removal hurts me as it does you. I hate it as much as I did the surrender of Sumter. It may be justified and required by the facts; but I don’t see it in anything yet published against him.

Mrs. Herron is misinformed about Matthews. I know all about it. The colonel would have returned and expected to return. He wished a change immensely, but he would not have resigned. I am sorry to lose him. I know he did his best to get me with him. He got a promise which he thought would please me even better. – It is all agreeable with me here – perfectly so. I can’t say when I shall be able to go home. Not for some weeks, but sometime during December or January, I see no reason to doubt that I shall see you. . . .

We sent home a lot of things and would send more if we could. (Take care of the soldier with the scalded hand. You will, of course.[1]) The reason is, the roads are bad and when we move as we must do often, we shall be compelled to leave or destroy all surplus baggage.

Affectionately,

Rutherford.

Mrs. Hayes.

[1] Mrs. Hayes wrote November 19: “We had kept the soldier, Harvey, here. His hand was badly burnt, but mother has dressed it every day, and now it is well.”

Boston, November 10, 1861

I am very anxious to hear news from Europe, for I cannot believe that it was my “letter” which caused you “a sleepless night.” I fear the despatches had something to do with it. In most perfect confidence, will you tell me, does Seward want or intend to make a foreign war? He is too profound a man to brag the country into a war by simply being over-confident and overbearing; and if he does it, I know him well enough to know he means to and has a design, and just now it looks surprisingly like it. As you know I have the highest faith in Seward and would surrender it as late as any one; but a policy so comprehensive and immense, and so evidently doing evil that good might come of it puzzles me strangely. However my faith is abiding that the world will not come to an end this time.

P. S. On reading the foreign files I am annoyed to see the rumpus created in England by the Harvey Birch affair. We again present the ludicrous aspect of two people scared, the one at the other. While Englishmen are trembling over the Harvey Birch, we have been quaking over the seizure of Slidell and Mason. The Harvey Birch, I am told, belonged to secession owners in New York, and all New York is chuckling over their loss, which they most richly deserve. The public at large, so far as I can see and hear, feel no indignation, but merely a sense of intense relief at such a Godsend having just now turned up in the moment of our greatest need. . . .

Camp Ewing, November 10, 1861. Sunday morning. – I am officer of the day today and interested in the weather. It stopped raining towards evening yesterday. It is foggy and damp this morning–will probably be pleasant during the day. I have to visit all the pickets; the stations are ten or twelve in number and it takes about three hours’ riding to visit them. They are on the Lewisburg pike for three or four miles, on the Chestnutburg road about the same distance, and on suitable points commanding views of the country on either side and of the river.

Went with Colonel Scammon, Captain Crane [Company A, Twenty-sixth Ohio], [and] Lieutenant Avery to Pepperbox Knob and looked over into enemy’s camps on [the] south side of New River; thence with Avery to Townsend’s Ferry, the proposed crossing place. Most romantic views of the deep mountain gorge of New River, near the ferry. Climbed down and up the hill by aid of ropes. Two Rebel soldiers got up an extempore skiff, just opposite where our men were getting our skiffs, and crept down the cliffs. They came over and were caught by our men as they landed. They were naturally surprised and frightened. A third was seen on the other bank who escaped. So our scheme is by this time suspected by the enemy.

November 10.–Captain Gillespie’s cavalry surrounded a body of Lincolnites in Paw Paw Hollow, Sevier County, Tenn., and captured twenty-five of them.–Knoxville Register, Nov. 11.

–Major-general Halleck, lately arrived from California, was appointed to the command of the Military Department of the West, in place of General Fremont, and General Buell, of Ohio, an efficient army officer who can point to a brilliant record, was put in charge of Kentucky, in place of General Sherman, resigned. These two men are in the prime of life–about forty years of age–and their antecedents warrant the expectations that there will be no more mistakes in the Western section.–N. Y. Herald, November 11.

–The New Orleans Crescent has the following: “Unfortunately the resources of the Hessian Government of Lincoln have been underrated. It is now nearly six months since a vessel entered the port of New Orleans from a distant country. The same remarks will apply to Mobile and other ports on the gulf. Where a vessel with a cargo of merchandise has passed the Lincoln blockade, twenty passed the blockade in the war of 1812. Flour from Spain can be delivered via Havana, at our levee, at eight to ten dollars per barrel, such as we ourselves paid yesterday eighteen dollars for.”

–Captain H. H. Miller, of the Twelfth Miss, regiment, informs the Lynchburg Virginian that on this day he, with twenty-two Virginians, attacked three hundred Union men in East Tennessee, at Taylor’s Ford, on the Watauga River, killed nine, wounded seven, and withdrew without loss.–(Doc. 146.)

–Lots were drawn by the United State prisoners in Richmond, Va., which should stand as a hostage for Smith, convicted of piracy in Philadelphia. Col. Corcoran was designated. Thirteen others were set apart as hostages for the men taken on the privateer Savannah.–(Doc. 147.)

–A band of rebels, armed and mounted, broke open and plundered the store of a loyal citizen, at Clark’s Station, seven miles east of Tipton, Mo., to-night. Col. Deitzler, on hearing of it, sent a squad of cavalry, under command of Lieut. Shriver, from the First Iowa regiment, in pursuit. All the gang but one were captured, and the property recovered.–(Doc. 148.)

–Gen. Benham, with his brigade, crossed the Kanawha River near the mouth of Loup Creek, Western Virginia, and marched forward on the road to Fayetteville Court House, to get in the rear of the rebel army under Floyd, on Cotton Hill, at the junction of the New, Gauley and Kanawha Rivers.–Part of Gen. Cox’s brigade at the same time crossed the New River near Gauley, and attacked Floyd’s force in front. After a slight skirmish, the rebels fell back to Dickenson’s Farm, four miles, and at night retreated toward Raleigh.–(Doc. 149.)

–One Hundred and Fifty Union men of the Ninth Virginia regiment were surprised by seven hundred rebels under one Jenkins, at Guyandotte, in Western Virginia, and all killed or taken prisoners. Apparently the surprise was effected by the treachery of the inhabitants of the town, as when it was made the soldiers were scattered all over the place at houses to which they had been invited with the appearance of hospitality.–(Doc. 150.)

Headquarters 2nd Brigade,
Hilton Head, Nov. 9th, 1861.

My dear Mother:

It is a long, long time since I have heard from home – nearly three weeks I think since we have been blessed with news by mail, and all this time I am wondering how you are all faring in New-York. Well, when a mail bag does come, may it be crowded with all sorts of good news. Now we have good news to report, for we are now enjoying ourselves in the pleasant climate of South Carolina.

We have been many days on shipboard, 1700 of us all together, on board the good ship “Vanderbilt” which bravely rode the storm, while other good ships foundered in the sea. But the storm abated, and the winds went down, and we were lying off the coast of South Carolina. Then we thought that a death struggle was about to commence, for were we not to lock arms, and wrestle, with traitors at the very headquarters of rebellion? We lay off Beaufort Harbor some sixty hours in idleness, waiting for the ball to open. That navy though is a slow affair, and we abused it mightily, being impatient to decide the fate of the expedition. Our naval commanders – Commodore Dupont and Secretary of Navy Welles–received most unflattering notices. Why would they not begin? Finally the old concern got a working – the “Wabash” led off, and was followed by a whole fleet of minor vessels. They sailed into line, and soon were sharply engaged with the forts protecting the entrance to the Harbor. For four hours shot were poured thickly into the defenses of the besieged, and nearly as long a time the besiegers sent destruction among our ships. But the terrible explosions of our shell, the steady broadsides poured from the Frigate “Wabash,” and the sure-aimed missiles sent from the little gunboats that would run up close to the shore, ensuring thus accuracy of aim – all these things were terrible in their effect upon the foe. At last a white flag floated from the parapet of their fortification, and quickly a white flag was despatched from the “Wabash” to the shore. Hip, Hip, Hurrah! We see– ay – we rub our eyes – is it really true? We see the American banner once more floating on the soil of South Carolina. All this time we were looking on, silent spectators of the scene. But now the harbor rings with the shouts of applause with which we greeted the great naval victory. We forgot for a moment how slow Secretary Welles is, and how dreadfully slow are all the operations of the Navy. And now we vile Yankee hordes are overrunning the pleasant islands about Beaufort, rioting upon sweet potatoes and Southern sunshine. Hilton Head is a sandy island but beautiful with palmetto leaves, cotton fields, magnolia and orange groves, and plantations of sugar cane. Here lived the Pinckneys, the Draytons, and other high-blooded Hidalgos, whose effervescing exuberance of gentlemanly spirit have done so much to cause our present troubles. Alas! Yankee hordes, ruthless invaders–the vile Hessians–infest their splendid plantations. One poor fellow was taken prisoner; afterward we learned there was in our hospital a brother of his, dying from disease, a young man who was too ill to retreat when his comrades fled precipitately. The brother first mentioned ventured to request that they two might remain together. To his surprise the request was willingly granted, and they seemed to feel that we had shown them a great kindness. The effects left by the South Carolinians in their flight show that there were many young men of wealth among them, who, feeling obliged, probably, to do their duty as soldiers, selected the neighborhood of Beaufort, which is a kind of Southern Saratoga. But if the flower of South Carolina youth, it is to be regretted that the flower never paid more attention to the spelling-book. A letter written them from a friend exhorts them to remember that they are “of gentilmanly blud.” As a sort of memento I send you enclosed a “poem,” the brilliancy of which will make it pay for the perusal. I saw William Ely yesterday. It is long since I’ve seen him before, and he has changed so that I did not recognize him until he gave me his name. If I had time I would write pages more, but I am full of business now. Oh a thousand times love and oceans of kisses for sisters and little ones, with less demonstrative but very warm regards for all friends.

I remain Affec’y.,

Will.

Can’t stop to correct what I’ve written, so excuse mistakes.

Camp Ewing, November 9, 1861. – A wet disagreeable morning. Anticipating hasty movements – expeditions without baggage against the enemy and the like – I yesterday sent home my jottings up to this time and begin today a new book. We were yesterday expecting to use four skiffs or yawls and two boat frames built here covered with canvas in crossing New River at a point five miles above here. It was hoped to surprise the enemy. Indications yesterday showed that the enemy were preparing to meet us. The passage to the water is down precipitous rocks six or seven hundred feet. The stream is very rapid and deep. McCook says one hundred yards wide by one hundred and fifty yards deep! The ascent on the opposite side is equally difficult. One hundred men could resist the passage of one thousand. We were not ordered over in view of these facts. What will be done is yet unknown.

Last night ate a turkey supper at commisary building [with] Captains Skiles and Drake and Lieutenant Avery and others. Yesterday I drew resolutions on occasion of death of Captain Woodward; today, on leaving of Colonel Matthews. Last night Sergeant Blish of Company I, a very competent, good officer, died – making, I think, the fifth death in camp in our regiment.

Camp Ewing, November 9, 1861.

Dear Mother : – It is a rainy disagreeable November day. I have done up all the little chores required, have read the article in November number of the Atlantic Monthly on “Health in Camp,” and hope not to be interrupted until I have finished a few words to you.

I wish you could see how we live. We have clothing and provisions in abundance, if men were all thrifty–food enough and good enough in spite of unthrift. Blankets, stockings, undershirts, drawers, and shoes are always welcome. These articles or substitutes are pretty nearly the only things the soldiers’ aid societies need to send. India-rubber or oilcloth capes, or the like, are not quite abundant enough. Our tents are floored with loose boards taken from deserted secession barns and houses. For warmth we have a few stoves, but generally fires in trenches in front of the tents or in little ovens or furnaces in the tents formed by digging a hole a foot deep by a foot and a half wide and leading under the sides of the tent, the smoke passing up through chimneys made of barrels or sticks crossed cob-house fashion, daubed with mud.

There is not much suffering from cold or wet. The sickness is generally camp fever – a typhoid fever not produced, I think, by any defect in food, clothing, or shelter. Officers, who are generally more comfortably provided than the privates, suffer quite as much as the men – indeed, rather more in our regiment. Besides, the people residing here have a similar fever. Exposure in the night and to bad weather in a mountain climate to which men are not accustomed, seems to cause the sickness irrespective of all other circumstances. We have nine hundred and twenty five men and officers, of whom two hundred and thirty are sick in camp, in hospitals in Virginia and in Ohio. Less than one-fourth of the privates are sick. One-half the captains, and one-half the lieutenants are or lately have been sick. Few are seriously or dangerously sick. Almost all are able to walk about. Only five out of about as many hundred cases have died. Three of them were very excellent men. Overwork and an anxiety not [to] give up had much to do with the fatal nature of their attacks. One was one of our best and hardiest captains, and one a most interesting youngster who somehow always reminded me of Birch – Captain Woodward, of Cleveland, and Bony Seaman, of Logan County.

I never was healthier in my life. I do not by any means consider myself safe from the fever, however, if we remain in our present location – higher up in the mountains than any other regiment. If I should find myself having any of the symptoms, I shall instantly come home. Those who have done so have all recovered within a week or two and been able to return to duty. I do not notice any second attacks, although I suppose they sometimes occur. Other regiments have had more deaths than we have had, but not generally a larger sicklist.

Our men are extremely well-behaved, orderly, obedient, and cheerful. I can think of no instance in which any man has ever been in the slightest degree insolent or sullen in his manner towards me.

During the last week the enemy have made an attempt to dislodge us from our position by firing shot and shell at our camps from the opposite side of New River. For three days there was cannonading during the greater part of daylight of each day. Nothing purporting to be warfare could possibly be more harmless. I knew of two or three being wounded, and have heard that one man was killed. They have given it up as a failure and I do not expect to see it repeated.

Dr. Jim Webb came here a few days ago, on a dispatch from the general, and will aid in taking charge of the sick in some part of the army, not in our regiment. He brought many most acceptable knickknacks and comforts from home. . . .

The newspapers do great mischief by allowing false and exaggerated accounts of suffering here to be published. It checks enlistments. The truth is, it is a rare thing for a good soldier to find much cause of complaint. But I suppose the public are getting to understand this. I would not say anything to stop benevolent people from contributing such articles of clothing and bedding as I have described. These articles are always put to good use. – Love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

November 9.–General Nelson again attacked the enemy at Piketon. At about ten A. M., they made an unconditional surrender. Their loss was four hundred in killed and wounded, and by their surrender the Nationals were left with two thousand prisoners.

–The Union men of East Tennessee burned a number of railroad bridges and the telegraph wires to prevent the transportation of troops. One bridge, of two hundred feet span, was destroyed on the East Tennessee railroad. Four structures on the line north of Knoxville were entirely demolished. A very heavy wooden bridge at Charleston, Bradley Co., Tennessee, was destroyed. Charleston is seventy-five miles southwest of Knoxville, and contains two hundred inhabitants.–N. Y. Commercial Nov. 13.

–The Richmond Whig, of to-day, says that the Confederate army in Virginia is reorganized. The State is constituted a department, comprising the three armies of the Potomac, the Valley and Acquia, under the chief command of General Johnston. General Beauregard commands the army of the Potomac, General Thomas Jackson that of the Valley, and General Holmes, Acquia, The army of the Potomac comprises four divisions: the first, including the Valley, under General Doren; second, G. W. Smith; third, General Longstreet; fourth, General Kirby Smith.

–A meeting of German citizens was held at Chicago, Ill., at which speeches were made by Caspar Butz and others, and resolutions sustaining the action of General Fremont were adopted.–(Doc. 142.)

–At the Lord Mayor’s dinner in London, England, the Chief Magistrate of that city proposed the “Foreign Ambassadors,” coupling the same with the name of Mr. Adams, the American Minister. That gentleman in his reply, stated that his mission was to promote and perpetuate the friendly relations of the two countries. Lord Palmerston said, although circumstances may, for a time, threaten to interfere with the supply of cotton, the temporary evil will be productive of permanent good. England would find in various portions of the globe a sure and ample supply, which would render her no more dependent. He stated that the country witnessed with affliction the lamentable differences among her American cousins; but added, it was not for her to pass judgment in their dispute. He expressed a hope of the speedy restoration of harmony and peace.– (Doc. 144.)

–The Atlanta (Ga.) Confederacy, of to-day, says: “Gen. Beauregard is a genuine patriot. How different from these who resign because every thing does not please them. His heart is as big as his country’s wants, and he nobly looks to meeting the demands of patriotism, and not to his own glory or preferment. All honor forever to his name, and to any man possessed of such a noble and unselfish nature. What next will the two or three journals do that have been trying to get up a difference between him and President Davis, and to force him to resign? Wonder if they will feel encouraged?”

–Christian Martin, an important witness on the part of the United States Government, in the trial of the Knights of the Golden Circle, at Cleveland, died at Marion, Ohio, to-day. His evidence was of great importance to the United States. His decease was quite sudden.–Louisville Journal, November 11.

–The Southern (Ga.) Confederacy, of this date, publishes an article urging the Legislature to pass such laws as will effectually stop the extortions of speculating men, who furnish the Southern army with food and clothing at the most exorbitant prices. “Such men,” it says, “have at heart their own interests more than the good of their fellow-mortals, and of the country,” and should be made to comply with the obligations and duties which extraordinary times, like the present, impose. It commends the action of the Governors of several Southern States, in condemning the systematic practice of defrauding the Confederate Government, and in calling the attention of the legislatures to the subject.–(Doc. 145.)

November 9, 1861

• Major-Gen. H. W. Halleck assigned to the command of the Department of the West, and Gen. Don Carlos Buel to the Department of Kentucky.

Friday, November 8. – I went back into the island, and saw a dead rebel on the way, killed by one of our shells. I passed cotton fields, sugar-cane, and sweet potato fields in any quantity, and finally came to a house about two miles and a half into the island, where there were four rebels, three mortally and one severely wounded. One of them had just died under an operation (cutting his leg off), and those horrible turkey buzzards could be seen hovering in air over the house, smelling even so soon the dead man. It was a horrible sight, and made one feel what war was. I found a rebel knapsack, which I took home with me. The road was strewn with them for two miles back in the woods, showing that there had been a rebel Bull Run. I went into the fort and saw near one of the dismounted cannon, a piece of a man’s head, and a large pool of blood. There were three men killed here. This morning when going to the ship I saw an explosion at the battery on the other side, which I since learn was a mine. Our forces took possession of the fort, called Beauregard, early this morning, it having been evacuated by the rebels last night.

Camp Ewing,

November 8, 1861, Thursday A. M.

Dearest: – Mr. Fuller, our waggon-master, goes to Cincinnati today. We are [so] busy preparing to send expeditions against the enemy, sending off sick and baggage, that I have no time to write.

I send you a few things that I would not want lost. My Diary, up to date, for your eye alone, etc., etc. Drs. Joe and Jim are busy as bees also.

We shall go into winter quarters in a fortnight or so I think, when we shall have plenty of leisure.

I see the papers are full of foolish stories, sent by frightened people to terrify without rhyme or reason. Nobody is hurt by all this cannonading. One killed and three wounded covers the casualties of five days. Our provisions are plenty and we are in no peril here.

“Love to all the boys” and Grandma. Bushels – no, oceans for yourself.

Affectionately,

R.

P. S. – Jim laughs when he sees me and says I must send home my picture to show you that I tell the truth about health.

You need not buy any lieutenant-colonel’s shoulder-straps or send me anything more to this region.

Mrs. Hayes.

Camp Ewing, November 8. – A beautiful fall day. About six hundred and fifty for duty, about two hundred and twenty-five sick, present and absent. All sent off who are in hospital but four; nine hundred and twenty-nine men still in regiment.[1]

We are getting ready to leave. I send home all I can, preparatory for rapid movements with weak trains of transportation. Still we have thirty-nine waggons, thanks to Gardner.

Captain Woodward died Tuesday, our hardiest officer. Industrious, faithful soldier, he has made his company from the poorest to almost the best. A sad loss. We send his remains home. Our fourth death in camp.

[1] For some weeks after this date, nearly every entry in the Diary contained a report similar to the one in this paragraph.

London, November 8, 1861

It may be my predilection that biasses my judgment, but I think I see in my father (John Quincy Adams) the only picture of a full grown statesman that the history of the United States has yet produced. By this I mean that in him were united more of all the elements necessary to complete the character than in any other man. I weigh very deliberately the substance of what I affirm. Neither am I disposed to detract from the merit of the many distinguished persons who have likewise run a brilliant career in America. In single points they may have shown a superiority. The mind of Jefferson, or Hamilton, or Webster may when directed to a special object have given indications of more positive power. Marshall may have developed a more disciplined professional intellect. All this may indeed be true. But that does not touch the question. Compare the figures from the foundation to the apex, look at them all round and you will not fail to note deficiencies of a most striking kind in those cases which you will not see in him. Read the writings of Hamilton. You see ability, sagacity and penetration, but you will find it hard to keep awake. Webster is strong in logic and forcible in exposition, but very imperfect in his bases of reasoning. Calhoun is subtle and keen in ratiocination, but never true to any consistent theory of morals. All of them are equally bold in resources for illustration and the philosophy of generalization.

The first and greatest qualification of a statesman in my estimation, is the mastery of the whole theory of morals which makes the foundation of all human society. The great and everlasting question of the right and wrong of every act whether of individual men or of collective bodies. The next is the application of the knowledge thus gained to the events of his time in a continuous and systematic way. It is in this last particular that the greatest number of failures are observed to occur. Many men never acquire sufficient certainty of purpose to be able to guide their steps at all. They then become the mere sport of fortune.

Today they shine because they have caught at a good opportunity. Tomorrow, the light goes out, and they are found mired at the bottom of a ditch. These are the men of temporary celebrity – the Charles Townshends, the John Randolphs, the George Grenvilles, the Harrison Gray Otises of their day. Every civilised nation is full of them. Other men, more favored by nature or education, prove their capacity to direct their course, at the expense of their fidelity to their convictions. They sacrifice their consistency for the sake of power, and surrender their future fame in exchange for the applause of their own day. The number of these is Legion. They crowd the records of all governments. The feebleness of perception and the deliberate abandonment of moral principle in action are the two prevailing characteristics of public men.

In my opinion no man who has lived in America had so thoroughly constructed a foundation for his public life as your grandfather. His action always was deducible from certain maxims deeply graven on his mind. This it was that made him fail so much as a party-man. No person can ever be a thorough partisan for a long period without sacrifice of his moral identity. The skill consists in knowing exactly where to draw the line, and it is precisely here that it seems to me appears the remarkable superiority of your grandfather over every man of his time. He leans on nothing external. He derives support from every thing he can seize. But if circumstances force it out of his hands, he is still found standing firm and alone. . . .

November 8.–The Charleston Mercury of this day has the following:

South Carolina began the war, and it is, perhaps, fitting, in the nature of things, that she should end it. The rage and hate of her enemies have precipitated them on her coast. They come to punish her for daring to assert her liberties and independence. Hence, as General Butler, of Massachusetts, says: “The war is to be illuminated by her burning cities and villages.” We have foreseen and have deprecated the wretched policy which has induced the invasion of the State. We have wished that it could have been otherwise, and that the redemption of Maryland and the protection of South Carolina had been accomplished by fighting on the banks of the Potomac.

But since all our efforts to shield South Carolina from invasion have failed, we await with cheerfulness the fate which is upon us. There are few calamities without some redeeming advantages to these who suffer. We can, and we will, make this invasion another occasion for illustrating the characteristics of Southern soldiers. “Let the invaders come” is the unanimous feeling of our people. Our Yankee enemies will, sooner or later, learn to their cost the difference between invaders for spoils and power, and defenders of their liberties, their native land. If they can take Charleston with twenty-five thousand men, let them have it We are unworthy to possess it; and it will be a fitting memorial–laid in, ashes–of our imbecility and base degeneracy.

But if, on the contrary, we shall give to every one of our invaders who shall remain on our soil a prison above it, or a grave beneath it, will it not end the contest? Carolinians, the great cause of the Confederacy rests on your arms. Strike for the independence of the Confederate States, your homes, and your native land. It has pleased God to place upon you the responsibility of closing, as He did that of commencing, this glorious war. Free and far let your names spread amongst the nations of the earth as one of the freest, bravest, and most enlightened people that has lived in the tide of time. Let us all, with one heart, repeat the noble sentiment of one of her dead sons: “It is better for South Carolina to be the cemetery of freemen than the home of slaves.”

–There were two military executions in the rebel army, at Pensacola, Florida: the one, a volunteer, shot for the killing of an orderly sergeant while in the discharge of his duty as an officer; the other, a regular, for the striking of a captain. He was said to have been a most excellent soldier, and at the time of committing the offence was crazed with liquor. He met his fate like a man.–Mobile Register, Nov. 11.

–At Washington, D. C., the new Minister Resident from Sweden and Norway, Edward Count Piper, was .presented to the President by the Secretary of State. He addressed the President as follows:

Mr. President: The King, my august sovereign, having vouchsafed to name me as his Minister Resident near the Government of the United States of America, I have the honor to deliver the letters which accredit me near you, Mr. President, in such a capacity. The King, my sovereign, having sincerely at heart the desire of maintaining the good relations which have at all times subsisted between his kingdom and the American Union, has ordered me to become near you, Mr. President, the organ medium of the sentiments of friendship which animate his Majesty, and of the value which his Majesty attaches to cultivating and cementing still more the relations so happily existing between the two Governments. Upon my heart, Mr. President, I shall be happy, if, during the period of my mission, I may be enabled to maintain and strengthen the bonds of perfect understanding which at all times, to the profit of international interests, have so happily united the two Governments, and I shall not fail, believe me, Mr. President, to give my entire zeal to contribute thereto.

To which the President replied:

Sir: I receive with great pleasure a Minister from Sweden. That pleasure is enhanced by the information which preceded your arrival here, that his Majesty, your sovereign, had selected you to fill the mission upon the grounds of your derivation from an ancestral stock identified with the most glorious era of your country’s noble history, and your own eminent social and political standing in Sweden. This country, sir, maintains, and means to maintain, the rights of human nature, and the capacity of men for self-government. The history of Sweden proves that this is the faith of the people of Sweden, and we know that it is the faith ad practice of their respected sovereign. Rest assured, therefore, that we shall be found always just and fraternal in our transactions with your Government, and that nothing will he omitted on my part to make your residence in this capital agreeable to yourself and satisfactory to your Government.

–The United States gunboat Rescue went up the Rappahannock River, as for as Urbanna Creek. Off the mouth of the creek, she captured a large schooner, from which she took off all her stores and movable property, and burnt her to the water’s edge. The Rescue was fired upon by a masked battery on shore. The fire was returned, and the rebels were completely shelled out. The commander of the Rescue occupied the entire day shelling every spot where were indications of the presence of rebel troops. Subsequently a small boat was seen crossing the river with three men. The Rescue’s boat was sent in pursuit, and captured the boat and two of the men, but the third managed to escape by jumping out and wading to the shore with a bag of letters.–(Doc. 132 and 138.)

–Five railroad bridges were burnt in East Tennessee by Unionists. Two on the Georgia state road, two on Chickamange Creek, Hamilton County, and one on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad on Hiawessee River, Bradley County. Five minutes after the guard passed through, the whole bridge was in flames. Two bridges on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad on Lick Creek, Green County, and another on Holstein River, were also burned. The guard at Lick Creek were unarmed. They were overwhelmed, tied, and carried away and kept during the day. The bridge on Holstein River was not guarded. It was thought unnecessary to guard it, Sullivan County being strongly Southern in feeling. The bridge at Holstein River is at Strawberry Plains. In Jefferson County the bridge was fired, but the fire was put out by the people.

–The city of Savannah, Ga., was in a state of intense excitement. The news of the capture of the Walker battery on Hilton Head, and the arrival of retreating troops, among them many of the wounded, aroused the intensest feeling. Everybody was in the street, and large crowds collected around the news and telegraphic offices throughout the day until late at night. Families commenced packing up, and large numbers of females and children were sent from the city by the night train to the up-country. The efflux will probably continue, and upon the whole we think this portion of the population should not be present to embarrass the defensive preparations.–Savannah Republican, Nov. 9.

–It having been reported that there were sundry rebel batteries near Beaufort, which is about ten miles above Port Royal, the gunboats Seneca, Ottawa, and Pembina were detailed to go up and clear the way, if they, perchance, should find any thing to clear. They, however, ran the whole distance without encountering any opposition, or seeing any thing to lead to the belief that there were any masked guns along the river.

They found the village entirely deserted by white people, the only man remaining being too drunk to get away. There were a number of negroes remaining, however, who stated that the inhabitants had left in the utmost hurry, fearing the advent of the Yankees would be their immediate destruction. The slaves had broken open some houses for the purpose of plundering.

–Capt. Wilkes with the U. S. steam sloop of war San Jacinto, overhauled the English mail steamer Trent in the Bahama channel, and demanded the surrender of the rebel emissaries Mason and Slidell, passengers on beard that vessel. Resistance on the part of the Trent was impossible, as the San Jacinto was prepared to enforce the demand, and against the violent protest of the English captain the commissioners and their secretaries were transferred to the San Jacinto.–(Doc. 139.)

–The Court of Inquiry, in the case of Col. Miles, made its report. About fifty-eight witnesses were examined, and their evidence presents the most extraordinary conflict of testimony. Twenty-eight swear positively that they saw Col. Miles on the day of the battle of Bull Run, and that he was drunk. About twenty swear just as positively that they saw him within the hours alleged, and he was not drunk. After weighing the testimony, the Court gave the following decision:

First–That Col. J. B. Richardson was justified in applying the term drunkenness to Col. D. S. Miles’ condition about seven o’clock P. M., on the 21st of July last.

Second–That the evidence is clear that Col. Miles had been ill several days before July 21 last, was ill on that day; that the surgeon had prescribed medicines for him on the day of the battle; had prescribed for him small quantities of brandy. The Court, however, considers his illness as a very slight extenuation of the guilt attached to his condition about seven P. M., on July 21 last.

Opinion–The Court is of opinion that evidence cannot now be found sufficient to convict Col. Miles of drunkenness before a court-martial, and a court-martial cannot be convened for this trial without great inconvenience to the service, and recommends that no further proceedings be had. The proceedings were laid before the Major-General commanding, and approved to-day.–Baltimore American, Nov. 8.

–Governor Gamble, of Missouri, arranged with the President the organization of the militia of that State, to be employed in the defence of the State against invasion, and the suppression of rebellion within its limits. The number of troops to be raised is not specified, but they are to be mustered into the State service and be armed, equipped, clothed, subsisted, transported, and paid by the Government. Governor Gamble stipulates that there shall be but one major-general of the militia, and to secure unity of action, the general commanding the department of the West becomes also the major-general of the State Militia, by the appointment of Governor Gamble to the position. As many brigadier-generals are to be appointed as there are brigades of four regiments each, and the staff officers shall not be paid more than the same are allowed in the regular service, whatever be their rank under the State law. As the money to be disbursed in this service is the money of the United States, United States staff officers are to be assigned to make the expenditures, or if United States officers cannot be spared from the regular service to perform the duties, Governor Gamble will appoint from the State Militia such officers as the President shall designate.–Idem.

–Colonel Grensle reached Rolla, Missouri, on his return from an expedition against the rebels in Texas County, bringing nine prisoners, five hundred head of cattle, and forty horses and mules, the property of armed rebels. Among the prisoners are Spencer Mitchell, quartermaster, and Lieut.-Col. Tyler, inspector of Gen. McBride’s brigade. Before leaving Houston, the county town, Col. Grensle issued a proclamation to the effect that the rights and property of Union men must be respected.– (Doc. 140.)

–Colonel John S. Williams, with one thousand rebels at Piketon, Pike County, Ky., informed of the march of General Nelson against him, made every preparation for defence. At Prestonburg General Nelson had divided his command into two bodies. One of them, composed of the Ohio Thirty-third regiment and a few hundred irregular Kentuckians mounted, under command of Colonel Sill, was sent by a circuitous route to Piketon in the hope to take that place in the rear, and prevent a rebel retreat, while the main body under General Nelson advanced by the direct road along the Big Sandy River. Colonel Marshall’s Ohio regiment, the advance of Nelson’s main body, near four P. M. was ambuscaded by two hundred rebels in a very strong natural position, about twelve miles from Piketon, when a brisk fight took place, the enemy firing upon the Ohio troops from each side of the road; but after standing their ground for a time, they give way and scattered in the surrounding brash, making good their escape. Colonel Marshall’s loss was four men killed and twenty wounded. Some skirmishers of the enemy were met and driven in, at night, by the force under Colonel Sill. The rebels lost ten killed, fifteen wounded, and forty missing.–(Doc. 141.)

November 8, 1861

• Battle of Belmont, Mo., between the expedition under Grant and the rebels. The Union men retired before large rebel reinforcements from Columbus, Ky., their retreat being covered by the gun-boats. Great slaughter on both sides ; Union loss–killed 84, wounded 288, and missing and prisoners 235–total 607; rebel loss–killed 261, wounded 427, and prisoners 278–total 966.
• Rebels captured 120 Union troops at Little Santa Fe, Mo.
• Capture of the rebel commissioners Slidell and Mason on the British mail steamer “Trent” by the U. S. war sloop ” San Jacinto.”
• Com. DuPont, of the naval expedition, sent a force up Port Royal Harbor to examine the town of Beaufort; the place was found to be deserted.

Battle of Belmont, Mo., Opposite Columbus, Ky, November 7th, 1861–Federal Forces Commanded by U. S. Grant; Confederate Forces, by Leonidas Polk

(from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated History of the Civil War…, edited by Louis Shepheard Moat, Published by Mrs. Frank Leslie, New York, 1895)

“Explanation.-1. Brigadier General Grant and staff directing the movements of the troops. 2. Brigadier General McClernand leading the charge at the head of the Thirty-first Illinois. 3. Thirty-first Illinois, Colonel Logan. 4. Body of Lieutenant Colonel Wendtz, Seventh Ohio. 5. Body of Captain Pulaski, aid-de-camp to McClernand, killed while leading the charge. 6. Caisson ordered to the field from the rear. 7. Twenty-seventh Illinois, Colonel Buford, taking the camp colors of the Confederates. 8. Thirtieth Illinois, Colonel Fouke. 8 A. Twenty-second Illinois, Colonel Dougherty. 9. Light artillery, Captain Taylor. 10. Seventh Ohio, Colonel Lamon. 11. Captain Schwartz, acting chief of artillery, taking the Confederate battery. 12. Watson’s Louisiana field battery. 13. Confederate artillery horses. 14. Battery of heavy ordnance at Columbus. 15. Encampment near Columbus. 16. Confederate ferryboat. 17. Columbus.”