March 30, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The enemy begins to exhibit unwonted activity along our coast. On Wednesday last twenty-one vessels, four of which were evidently turreted iron-clads, and the rest gunboats or transports, appeared in North Edisto River. These vessels could be plainly seen by our pickets at White Point, and the transports seemed to be without any considerable number of troops on board. On Thursday only fourteen steamers remained.

Official intelligence was received on Saturday that a gunboat and three transports had approached Cole’s Island, at the mouth of the Stono and landed a small force, supposed not to exceed two hundred men. Nothing definite was ascertained as to their object, but it is generally believed to have been a reconnoissance, preliminary to more imposing movements.

The blockading fleet on Saturday numbered twenty vessels. A steamer flying the French flag was also noticed in the offing.

MARCH 25th.—We have no news to-day, excepting the falling back of Rosecrans from Murfreesborough, and a raid of Morgan and capture of a train of cars. Rosecrans means, perhaps, to aid in the occupation of the Mississippi River. It will be expensive in human life.

Although our conscription is odious, yet we are collecting a thousand per week. The enemy say they will crush the rebellion in ninety days. In sixty days half their men will return to their homes, and then we may take Washington. God knows, but man does not, what will happen.

March 25, 1863, Southern Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

Are our friends in the up country aware of the fact that the paper mills throughout the Confederacy will have to stop unless they can procure a larger supply of rags?  This is even so.  The Pioneer Mill near this place has adopted a new rule.  They sell paper to those alone who will furnish them rags.  We now want to purchase all the clean linen and cotton rags that can be brought to us.  Send them by bag fulls–by wagon loads, or in any other manner you please; but by all means send us rags.  If you want to see the Watchman survive, send us all the rags you can gather up.  Don’t be afraid of overstocking the market.  We will insure a speedy sale of all that can be brought here. Send them on, then, in large quantities and send them quickly!

March 25, 1863, Charleston Mercury

Another Female Food Riot took place in Salisbury, N. C., on the 18th.  The women concerned in it compelled the merchants to share with them their stock of flour, and also robbed several families of the stock laid in for home use.  Salt, snuff and molasses was also taken.

March 25, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

The undersigned having been creditably informed that our Texas soldiers in Arkansas have suffered, and are yet suffering from sickness and disease, incident to an unhealthy country, and that hundreds (we may say thousands) have died, mostly for the want of necessary and proper attention, respectfully recommend to the ladies of this State the great necessity of giving entertainments and taking up subscriptions for our suffering troops in Arkansas.  For the purpose of assisting in this object of mercy, a grand entertainment will be given at this place on Friday and Saturday evenings the 24^th and 25^th of April; also subscriptions will be received by either of the undersigned.

It is hoped that our patriotic citizens who have been so liberal in donating to the hospitals of our Texas soldiers in Virginia and Tennessee, will be equally as liberal towards those in Arkansas, who have suffered more from sickness than any other troops in the Confederacy.  At Arkansas Post, one of the most sickly places West of the Mississippi, the deaths averaged from four to six per day, and the condition of the hospital was such that many of our brave volunteers preferred to linger and die in their tents than to be taken there.  We have more Texas soldiers in Arkansas than in any other State, and we regret to say less has been done for them, notwithstanding death has thinned their ranks by disease and sickness more than among any of our troops in other states.  Such being the facts, shall we turn a deaf ear to the cries of our suffering fathers, husbands, sons and brothers?  For ourselves, and in the name of our young, noble and chivalric State we say–No, never!

Committee.
Mrs. Eva Lancaster,
Mrs. Mary Lockett,
Mrs. James Heard,
Mrs. B. F.   Rucker,
Mrs. Cartmell,
Mrs. Burkhead,
Miss Myra Johnson,
Miss Bessie Spann,

Washington, Texas, March 18, 1862.

March 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

Lieut. FRITH, who blew up the Indianola, gives the editor of the Natchez Courier the particulars. He says that on Wednesday night a Federal gunboat, which he is pretty well assured was the Tuscumbia (afterwards turning out to be a Yankee scare-crow), and which, by the way, is represented as a very formidable iron-clad, made her appearance, within two miles of where the Indianola lay. Lieut. FRITH informs us that he had two 11-inch and two 9-inch Dahlgren guns, as also two howitzers – field pieces – on board the sunken vessel as a battery, with but five besides himself to man them. On Thursday night, at 11 o’clock, after throwing overboard three of the pieces, and making his preparations for bursting the 11-inch guns, he laid his train for the final destruction of the Indianola. Upon examination after the explosion, Lieut. FRITH found that it was complete, and she lay a total wreck. It is also stated that there was no discipline on the Indianola after she was taken; that she was literally pillaged by those on board, in order to possess […..] of the victory, etc. We regret to observe in this quarter an indisposition to communicate facts to the Southern public. The tone of exaggeration on the one hand, and concealment on the other, indicates weakness and apprehension at Vicksburg.

March 25, 1863, Arkansas True Democrat (Little Rock)

Batesville, March 15^th, 1863.

Mr. Editor:  The military traveler sees many thing in this patriotic State worthy of preservation in the history of these eventful times. . . .

Yesterday a prize drill came off in Shelby’s brigade.  It was exciting and beautiful.  The reward for the best drilled company was a three days’ furlough for officers and men.  The emulation was high and manly.  How proudly the brave veterans bore themselves.  These men have learned in battle the importance of drill.  After much deliberation the judges decided company of Col. Gordon’s regiment, (Col. Shelby’s old company,) and company Col. Thompson’s regiment, Capt. Jerry Cravens, equally entitled to the palm.  This gave general satisfaction, and the “boys” are enjoying their furlough.  The judges who have all seen service east of the Mississippi, remarked that they had never seen a company better drilled than these in any army.

The Batesville belles honored the occasion with their presence.  By the way, Mr. Editor, Batesville is a good place.   Its young men are in the southern army, and its genuine hospitality greets the southern soldier.  Its young ladies (bless the charming creatures!) in the absence of their brothers, beaux, and sweethearts have learned to take care of themselves, and I verily believe, they are the most graceful, dashing equestriennes in the world.

What is prettier, any how, than a pretty woman on horseback?  These dashing, pretty, witty and sprightly girls [continue reading…]

March 25, 1863, Dallas Herald

Our informant who gave us the facts in regard to the capture of the Queen of the West, on Red River, and who was forced to go with the Queen down the Atchafalaya, relates the following incident:

At one of the places burnt by the Queen, and owned by a lady who had been thus villainously left houseless, the valiant Commander attempted to converse with her on the bank from the deck of his boat.  She proved true pluck for him.  He asked her:

“Madam, have you a father, brothers or any other relative in this war?”

The lady was quite young, a widow, with two young boys of five and seven years of age by her side. Her reply was a stinger to this three, six and nine month invader and subjugator of old Abe.  She answered, in sight of the smoldering ruins of her home:

“I have two brothers in the army; and if you keep on this war twelve years longer, (pressing the heads of her boys,) I shall have two sons to fight you till their deaths.  I expect nothing better than arson and murder from any of your tribe.

The commander slope to his gun-room, while the lady and boys cheered the departure of the Queen of the West with the Bonnie Blue Flag.–Natchez Courier.

March 25, 1863, Dallas Herald

For several weeks past we have been compelled to print our paper on brown paper, and we shall probably be compelled to do so for several weeks to come. We have purchased a supply of white paper, which will cost us over $50 per ream by the time it reaches us, and this we expect in the course of three or four weeks. We shall, as a consequence, be compelled to raise the price of subscription, from $2,50 to $5 per annum. We do this reluctantly, but we cannot pay the above price for paper, and make a living for ourselves without an increase in price. All subscribers who are paid to a future period will be continued until the time is out, but new subscribers hereafter will have to pay the advanced rates.

Advertisements will be charged at the rate of $2, per square for first insertion, and $1 for each continuance.

March 25, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

COLUMBIA, TENN., March 18.

In my last letter I gave you very fully the disposition of Van Dorn’s force upon Rutherford’s Creek, where he had taken position to meet the enemy. On the 10th we had retired from Spring Hill before a large force of the enemy, and taken an advantageous position, and expected on the 11th to have an engagement of short duration and retire across Duck River to this point on a pontoon bridge, which was then constructed and about to be launched. Upon attempting to launch it, it was discovered to be impossible, as the river had overflowed its banks, and was sweeping on with the greatest rapidity, bearing on its bosom huge logs and drift wood, hurled down with such velocity as to render the laying down of the pontoon an utter impossibility. To render matters still worse, the rope, by means of which the ferry boat was crossed, became submerged, and another one was with difficulty stretched across, by means of which we were enabled to cross a boat capable of carrying at each trip, occupying forty minutes, one wagon or eight or ten horses. Placed in this unfortunate position, we were completely covered by Federals in heavy force in the front and upon both flanks, without having any means of retreat in case of a superior force, which was certain, and which it was only our intention to engage and retire. Several plans of escape were suggested, among which the most plausible was to swim the horses across the stream and cross the troops by the ferry, but it was found that even this was impracticable. Our position was at the head of the peninsula formed by the junction of Carter’s creek and Duck river, while the enemy’s position was upon another peninsula directly opposite, formed by the junction of Rutherford and Carter’s creeks, all of which streams were unusually high and well nigh impassable. Our forces were disposed on the south side of Rutherford’s creek, our centre resting upon the Nashville pike, our left extending to Carter’s creek, and our right, under Forrest, extending a mile or two to the right of the pike and upon the border of Rutherford’s creek. The position was a very strong and commanding one, and King’s Battery was put upon the highest hill commanding the approaches from the pike. In front of our position, upon the centre, open fields stretched from Rutherford’s creek back a thousand yards to a wooded hill upon the left of [continue reading…]

March 25, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

An army correspondent of the Chattanooga Rebel writes as follows:

Our army is again in a good fighting trim, and the ranks rapidly filling up by the influx of absentees. I suppose it is better clothed, equipped and fed than ever before. The country is bountifully supplied with game, but the boys are forbidden to shoot, for fear of hitting some general’s aid.

I have conversed with several intelligent and creditable gentlemen from Williamson county in the last few days, and they bring melancholy tidings of the fate of their gallant people. The country is being desolated. The Abolitionists are burning and destroying houses, razing fences, stealing horses, shooting cattle and hauling off all the provisions in the county not even leaving many families meat or bread enough for a single meal. They have broken up the wagons, hoes, and plows, destroyed the harness, and everything that can be employed in cultivating the earth. The officers boldly proclaim that the people shall not raise another crop. Citizens are robbed of their money, and their houses pillaged of every article of wearing apparel, and bed clothing, and their furniture and table ware broken and ruined by heartless scoundrels. I was informed of three instances of my acquaintance in which fair, modest, virtuous young women were ruthlessly violated by the hellish ruffians. These are not pictures woven by fancy, nor the creation of vague rumors, but facts attested by authorities that cannot be questioned. If retributive justice is no myth of fancy, it surely is time now for an exhibition of its power. When the men of the country are torn from their homes to fight for the government, that government should take some retaliatory steps to protect their helpless families from the hands of the incendiary and the ravisher.

March 25, 1863, Galveston Weekly News

 Like most of our contemporaries, we are compelled to advance our terms of subscription, not for the purpose of increasing profits, but to save ourselves from loss. Having now to pay for white paper just about fifteen times the price when our terms of subscription were established, our readers will readily see the utter impossibility of continuing the same rates. We had hoped, ere this, to have received paper long since sent for by a special agent, and that the cost would not have been so high as to make this advance necessary.  But we now see no immediate prospect of getting the paper we have been looking for, and the increasing scarcity and cost of paper even east of the Mississippi, and the enormous charges for transportation, with all the attendant difficulties and delays, will probably bring that paper, when it arrives, (even if it ever does,) nearly to the price we are now paying.  Subscriptions from this date to the Tri-Weekly News will be charged $12 per year, or at the same rate quarterly, and for the Weekly News $5, always in advance, and present subscribers will be charged the same when the time for which they have paid has expired.  We should state for the information of subscribers in arrear that they will be charged at the above rates from this date, and if they wish the paper discontinued, they have only to notify us and pay up all arrears.

 We have now made arrangements by which we believe the News will always give its patrons all the important and reliable intelligence from the seat of war and elsewhere, at the earliest possible moment.  We have been subject to many embarrassments, as our readers are generally aware, from heavy losses by the war, by fire and otherwise, but by the continual support of our patrons and our own unceasing labors, we hope not only to be able to continue our paper through the war, but to improve it from time to time.

March 25, 1863, The New York Herald

Our Expeditionary Correspondence.

ON THE WAY, SEVENTY-FIVE MILES DOWN THE TALLAHATCHIE, March 10, 1863.

The date I prefix to this communication gives the present locality of the Yazoo Pass expedition with as much exactness as I can command. We have reached a very fair stream for navigation by small steamers, but are yet sadly cramped for room in which to work boats of any considerable size. Our progress is, therefore, very slow and far from satisfactory. The extreme upper end of this river and the lower part of the Coldwater were moderately good rivers, and we got along at a rate of twenty or thirty miles per day. But suddenly the Tallahatchie narrowed its borders and became exceedingly crooked, so as nearly to rival the ever to be remembered pass, and boats experienced the greatest difficulty in getting along at all, and therefore we were two or three days in advancing about twenty miles.

COTTON FARMS ALONG THE COLDWATER.

In the parts of the Coldwater and Tallahatchie mentioned as good, we found high banks and well cultivated plantations in abundance. The owners of these plantations, with their colonies of negroes, were, as a general thing, at home, attending to their ordinary avocations as though there existed no war in the land. At these places we were repeatedly told that the rebels had recently visited them in boats, picking up cotton to be used in building fortifications lower down the river to oppose our progress. But we met with no manner of resistance or trouble from any of these people. Their disposition seemed perfectly friendly, and we passed them without further molestation than levying a few hundred bales of cotton from them to strengthen the defences of our gunboats and transports. Of this staple there was no lack in that region, nor had there apparently been any efforts made to conceal or destroy it. This was the more remarkable since the planters admitted that they had been expecting this expedition for a month past. They evidently knew but little of war, and [continue reading…]

March 25, 1863, Memphis Daily Appeal (Jackson, Mississippi)

Mrs. L. C. W. Brown:

 Dear Madam:  Your letter, with one thousand dollars, contributed by the ladies of Natchez for the support of the Soldiers’ lunch house, was handed me this morning by Mr. Howe.  Allow me, in behalf of the brave soldiers whose sufferings they nobly wish to alleviate, to thank the patriotic ladies of Natchez for their very liberal donation. The Soldiers’ lunch house in this place was opened on the 8th of February last, and fed during that month 595 soldiers, and lodged 669.  We have succeeded far beyond our expectations, and have the gratification of knowing that our streets are no longer crowded with hungry soldiers.  The grateful soldiers bless the ladies of Mississippi, and go forth with fresh courage and renewed strength to meet our foes.  Let me, in conclusion, assure them that the money shall be used as directed.

Yours very respectfully,
Mrs. C. S. Knapp,
President M.A.S.

 Jackson, Miss., March 24, 1863.

March 25, 1863, The New York Herald

We have some important intelligence from the Yazoo expedition today. It comes by way of St. Louis, and is to the effect that the steamer Dilligent, with the Eighth Missouri, had succeeded in entering Yazoo rover above Haines’ Bluff. Her course was through Cypress Bayou, which debouches into the Yazoo opposite Johnson’s plantation, and thence through Steele’s Bayou into the Sunflower, which empties into the Yazoo twenty miles above Haines’ Bluff. The Diligent was accompanied by a light gunboat. As soon as it was found possible to get through four iron-clads followed.

If this be so our forces are now in the rear of Yazoo City, and by reducing that post and Fort Pemberton, may place Vicksburg in our hands. It was rumored that Haines’ Bluff was evacuated, and that the Eighth Missouri had gone up to garrison the place. Our expeditionary correspondence from that quarter is full of interesting details relative to the movements of the fleet in its progress. An excellent map illustrates the locality in which the expedition operated.

Despatches from Cincinnati, dated yesterday, state that within the last four days the rebels have made several reconnoissances, causing considerable picket skirmishing along the whole front of the Union army. They do not appear anxious, however, to bring on a general engagement. Reliable information from the South represents that the evacuation of Vicksburg is being advocated for strategic purposes, prominent rebels declaring that by withdrawing their troops from Vicksburg and massing them in Middle Tennessee they can oblige General Rosecrans to repeat the movements of General Buell last year.

The capture of Mount Sterling, Ky., by the rebels is confirmed, but on the other hand we learn that Colonel Garrard attacked the rebel forces under Colonel Clarke on Monday, near Mount Sterling, driving them towards Owensville.

Nothing new has occurred in front of Charleston, nor is any attack expected there until the period of high tides arrives, with the equinoctial season, which is evidently just setting in.

The Paris correspondent of the London News, writing on the 6th of March, says:– “The news of the issue of letters of marque by Mr. Lincoln has caused a great impression here. It is also noticed as significant that the Moniteur has copied an article from an English paper advocating the prompt recognition of the South.”

March 24th. Everything continues quiet. This afternoon it cleared up, and the sun made its appearance once more, which made things in general assume a more lively appearance. Tonight we are expecting one or two boats down from the upper fleet. I think that if they succeed in passing by the batteries at Vicksburg they will be very fortunate, as it is almost a matter of impossibility for a vessel to pass their casemates without being sunk, or at least very materially damaged; however, it is very probable that an attempt will be made, as it is highly necessary that we should have some assistance with us, in order to succeed in our object here. Our men have been engaged to-day erecting a barricade of sails on port side of poop deck; also building a breastwork of hammocks around the wheel.

Tuesday, 24th–It rained all night and day, and our camp is almost covered with water. The report in camp is that we will go down the river in a day or two.

24th. In the morning did some errands. Played chess with Thede and Melissa. Oysters for supper. Thede goes back tonight. I could see he dreads it–so do we. In the evening went to N. P. (North Professor street–Fannie Andrews’ home). Had such a good visit. Called at N. P. 2 a few minutes. (Fannie Henderson’s home.) Had a pleasant tete-a-tete with F. The more I see her, the greater is my love and admiration. Called on Fred and Fairchild. Thede returned to camp. Pictures. Sweet Home!

Gen. Foster Arrives.

March 24. Gen. Foster arrived this morning and went to work laying out a fort and other defences which we are to build. That job done, he took companies F, I and K of the 25th and H of the 27th Massachusetts with a party of marines, and a boat howitzer (on board his boat, the John Ferrin,) and left on some sort of an excursion up the Chowan river. The general is no idler, he is always on the move and seeing that everybody else is. He is ubiquitous, turning up at any time in all parts of his domain, and keeping everybody within fifty miles on the qui vive.

MARCH 24th.—Judge Lyons has granted an injunction, arresting the impressment of flour by the Secretary of War, and Congress is debating a bill which, if passed, will be a marked rebuke to the government.

Notwithstanding the wishes of the Secretary of War, the President, and Gen. Rains, Lt.-Col. Lay is still exempting Marylanders, and even foreigners who have bought real estate, and resided for years in this country, if they have not taken the oath of domicile.

In Eastern Tennessee, 25,500 conscripts were enrolled, and yet only 6000 were added to the army. The rest were exempted, detailed, or deserted. Such is the working of the Conscription Act, fettered as it is by the Exemption Law, and still executed under Judge Campbell’s decision. Gen. Rains has the title, but does not execute the functions of Superintendent of the Bureau of Conscription. The President has been informed of everything.

March 24, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)

We saw a lady–a lady in every sense of the term–at the market yesterday morning, with a “Copperhead” pin for a shawl fastening. We understand it was not worn merely as a matter of convenience, but as a badge to show she was for the Union and the Constitution.

March 24, 1863, The Charleston Mercury

The object of this war, on the part of the Confederate States, is the preservation of independence against unjust and vindictive assailants. It is the business of our Government and Generals to wage the war in that manner which will be most effective to the end desired. Throughout the past history of the struggle a practical arrogance and brutality has been exercised by the United States which required prompt and thorough curbing; and, under the garb of chivalry and humanity, on the part of the Confederate States, a short-sighted and unwholesome tenderness, meant for the benefit of mankind and the world at large, which has only encouraged the truculency of the enemy, entailed numberless woes upon our people, and given the appearance of timidity abroad. From all the signs around us, it is time to stop this mistrustful anxiety to toady foreign nations. Experience is teaching us that the exercise of a gingerly gentleness in war has only brought about the systematic and wholesale practice of the inhumanities first perpetrated. Vigor, promptitude and firmness might easily have checked them then. Now it will require more numerous and more signal examples to satisfy the United States of the virtue and power of retribution. We have been drifting steadily into a war without quarter, chiefly from our failure to impose, by examples, a definite, unmistakeable understanding as to the extent of barbarity to which the South would submit.

The recent bloody orders of ROSECRANS, and the diabolical plans set afoot by HUNTER, imperatively call for the infliction of summary, unsparing punishment upon all belonging to those commands. It is a matter of self- preservation, and the cause of humanity is involved. As men whose words proclaim them hostes humani generis, and whose deeds put them beyond the pale of law, it becomes the duty of all charged with the defence of the country to use every effort for checking their brutal career. Practical proofs of the position they occupy as criminals, can alone bring conviction, and restrain, by the penalties affixed to crime. Mercy to murderers and incendiaries is cruelty to those who may become their victims. Are we not satisfied of the folly of longer trifling with this question, and of the unavoidable necessity of meeting this issue boldly and manfully – soldiers, officers and government?

March 24, 1863, The New York Herald

The news from the Southwest today is important. It is stated that on the 14th instant Admiral Farragut came into action with his fleet at Port Hudson, and after a brisk engagement with the batteries, succeeded in passing the fort with all his fleet, consisting of eight vessels, leaving the Mississippi behind, which ran aground, and was set on fire by order of the Admiral. The army is reported to be within five miles of the enemy’s works. Despatches from Southwest Pass, La., appear to confirm this statement. They are dated on the 15th, and add that heavy skirmishing was going on in the advance; that Colonel Clark, aid to General Banks, was slightly wounded, and that the army was in good spirits and would move in a few hours.

No news from any of our naval officers to this effect has been received, and this fact excites much suspicion concerning its truth.

Our Baton Rouge correspondence relative to the movements of General Banks’ army, today, will be found full of interest upon this subject.

Admiral Porter, in a despatch to Washington yesterday, says he has received information from Lieutenant Commander Watson Smith that on the 7th instant the whole expedition arrived in the Tallahatchie, which gives us control of the heart of the State of Mississippi. The vessels all got through in fighting condition, excepting the Petrel, which lost her wheel. This movement alarmed the rebels. They are energetically at work preparing themselves for defence. There is much distress in Vicksburg. The occupants have no meat, but are living almost exclusively on corn meal.

Advices from the Yazoo pass expedition represent that the movements are slow, but that there is every prospect of getting through successfully. Our forces had debarked near Greenwood, and were besieging Fort Pemberton. A number of our transports were badly damaged in getting through the Pass. The ram Lioness overhauled the steamer Parallel [continue reading…]

March 26, 1863, Savannah Republican (Georgia)

The Southern Recorder says:   “Our last bill for printing paper, such as we now use for the Recorder, was at the rate of $14 per ream.   Of the propriety of raising the price of subscription our readers can judge, when we state that paper of the same size formerly cost $3, which, compared to present rates, shows an advance of nearly five hundred per cent.