The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

May 18.—A skirmish took place near Searcy, on the Little Red River, Arkansas, between one hundred and fifty men of Gen. Osterhaus’s division, and some six hundred rebels, under Colonels Coleman and Hicks, in which the latter were routed, with a loss of one hundred and fifty left on the field and quite a number wounded.

—A fight took place at Princeton, Va., between the Nationals under the command of General Cox and a body of rebels under Humphrey Marshall, in which the Nationals lost thirty killed and seventy wounded.

—S. Phillips Lee, United States Navy, commanding the advance naval division on the Mississippi River, demanded the surrender of Vicksburgh to the authority of the United States.— (Doc. 111.)

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May 17.—At Galveston, Texas, Captain Henry Eagle, commanding the United States naval forces, sent the following message to the commander of the rebel forces at that place:

“In a few days the naval and land forces of the United States will appear off the town of Galveston to enforce its surrender. To prevent the effusion of blood and destruction of property which would result from the bombardment of your town, I hereby demand the surrender of the place, with all its fortifications and batteries in its vicinity, with all arms and munitions of war. I trust you will comply with this demand.” General Herbert replied that when the land and naval forces made their appearance, the demand would be answered. At the same time he advised the people of the city to “keep cool— there is no danger. When the enemy lands and endeavors to penetrate into the interior, he will be fought on every inch of ground. In the mean time, every man should stand by his arms, and be ready to take the field at a moment’s warning.”—Houston Telegraph, May 23.

—There was a general advance of the Union lines towards Corinth, with much skirmishing and several severe engagements. General Sherman’s division lost forty-four killed and a number wounded, in attacking Russell’s House, but succeeded in dislodging the rebels from that position.— (Doc. 41.)

—Tue gunboat Currituck, accompanied by the transport steamer Seth Low, made a reconnoissancc up the Pamunkey River, Va., for the purpose of capturing or destroying two rebel steamers and several smaller vessels supposed to be at or near Casey’s Point, about ten miles below Newcastle. On reaching that point the vessels were not found, and the gunboat continued the search until within a mile of Newcastle, where two companies of infantry landed and marched to an elevated position, from which they discovered all the vessels in flames, they having been set on fire to prevent their capture by the Currituck. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, the companies reembarked and returned to the White House.—N.Y.. Times, May 20.

— The gunboat Penobscot, Captain Clitch, opened fire on the shore batteries at Newlet Inlet, near Wilmington, N. C. The attack brought out the position and power of the guns and batteries, and this being all that was wanted, the gunboat soon ceased to fire.—National Intelligencer.

—The advance-guard of the Army of the Potomac reached the Chickahominy River at Bottom’s Bridge, about fifteen miles from Richmond. The rebels destroyed the bridge, and the march of the Union troops was obstructed.—McClellan’s Despatch.

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May 16.—The following General Order, made by President Lincoln, at Norfolk, Va., on the eleventh of May, was this day issued:

“The skilful and gallant movements of Major Gen. John E. Wool and the forces under his command, which resulted in the surrender of Norfolk, and the evacuation of the strong batteries erected by the rebels on Sewell’s Point and Craney Island, and the destruction of the rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac, arc regarded by the President as among the most important successes of the present war. He therefore orders that his thanks as Commander-in Chief of the Army and Navy, be communicated by the War Department to Major-Gen. John E. Wool, and the officers and soldiers of his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the brilliant operations mentioned.”

The United States steamer Oriental was wrecked on Body’s Island, thirty miles north of Cape Hatteras, N. C.—The Senate of the United States confirmed the nomination of Brevet Major Gen. Wool to be Major-General of the army.

—At New-Orleans, La., General Butler issued the following orders:

“The New-Orleans Bee newspaper having published an elaborate though covert argument in favor of the cotton-burning mob, is hereby suppressed. No publication of any description will issue from that office until further orders.

“The New-Orleans Delta newspaper having, in an article of to-day’s issue, discussed the cotton question in a manner which violates the terms of the proclamation of first of May instant from these headquarters, the office of that paper will be taken possession of and its business conducted under direction of the United States authorities.”

“It is hereby ordered that neither the city of New-Orleans, nor the banks thereof, exchange their notes, bills or obligations for confederate notes, bills or bonds, nor issue any bill, note or obligation payable in confederate notes.

“On the twenty-seventh day of May instant, all circulation of or trade in confederate notes and bills will cease within this Department; and all sales or transfers of property made on or after that day, in consideration of such notes or bills, directly or indirectly, will be void, and the property confiscated to the United States — one fourth thereof to go to the informer.”—(Doc. 38.)

—Two Union gunboats opened fire with shot and shell on Darien, Georgia, without inflicting any damage.—Fast day in the rebel States.— Savannah News, May 17.—(Doc. 39.)

—Colonel Johnson Hagood, Provost-Marshal of the Second Military District of South-Carolina, issued the following from his headquarters at Charleston:

“In compliance with instructions received from Brigadier-General Ripley, Capt Francis D. Lee, Engineer Corps, is empowered to impress any negro carpenters and other artisans, not now employed in government service, whether the same be slaves or not Captain Lee will be furnished with such force as may be necessary to carry out the instructions.”

—The National Intelligencer this morning contains an article, three columns in length, denouncing Gen. Hunter’s proclamation, and asserting that the President will revoke it

—Commodore Goldsborouoh with the Susquehannah, the Wachusett, the Dacotah, and the Maratanza moved up the James River, Va., to reduce two batteries on the south shore, and found the batteries abandoned.—N. Y. Times, May 21.—(Doc. 110.)

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May 15.—A company of infantry of General Geary’s command was ordered to Linden, Va., to remain stationed there. A detachment of seventeen men, guard to the company wagon, reached there a short time before the main body of the company, which was on a train. They were attacked by a body of cavalry, variously estimated at from three to six hundred, coming upon them from four different directions. The Nationals resisted them, keeping up a sharp fire under shelter of the depot, which was riddled with bullets. Gen. Geary’s men were overpowered; one was killed and fourteen were taken prisoners, three of whom were wounded, when the enemy hastily retired under fire.— General Geary’s Despatch.

—The United States gunboats Galena, Monitor, Aroostook, Naugatuck, and Port Royal were repulsed from Fort Darling, on the James River. The one hundred pound gun on the Naugatuck exploded at the first fire.—(Doc.37.)

— Great excitement existed in Richmond, Va., on the approach of Gen. McClellan’s army and the gunboats. A joint Committee were appointed by the Legislature of Virginia to communicate with Jeff Davis in relation to the defence of the city. The General Assembly resolved that the capital of the State should be defended to the last extremity. Governor Letcher issued a proclamation calling all the officers out of service, and others who were willing to unite in defending the capital, to meet at the City Hall that evening. The meeting was held amid great excitement and enthusiasm. The action of the Governor was warmly commended.—(Doc. 109.)

—In the Senate of Virginia Mr. Collier submitted a joint resolution declaring that slavery is the fundamental doctrine of Southern civilization.— (See Supplement.)

—A skirmish took place, nine miles east of Batesville, Arkansas, between a party of the Fifth Illinois cavalry, under Lieut Smith, and a small force of the enemy. The rebels were repulsed, leaving in the hands of the Unionists, a major, a captain, and one private. The Union party lost none.—Missouri Democrat.

—Alexander H. Brown, Assistant Provost Marshal at Charleston, S. C, issued the following regulations in reference to travelling in that department:

“With the view of preventing any unauthorized person of color, bond or free, from leaving the city, the following regulations have been adopted by this department:

“1. Railroads and other means of transportation are forbid conveying, without a passport, any free person of color or slave from the limits wherein martial law prevails.

“2. Applications for passports for free persons of color must be made by their guardians or other responsible white person.

“3. Applications for passports for slaves must be made either by their owners or responsible representatives or agents.

“4. Travelling with a white person will not dispense with these regulations.”

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May 14.—President Lincoln, accompanied by Secretary Stanton, and Captain Dahlgren, visited Fredericksburgh, Va., to-day. The Martha Washington conveyed the party to Acquia Creek, from whence they were taken by railroad to Gen. McDowell’s headquarters, opposite Fredericksburgh. The occasion was made a gala-day. Flags were displayed from the steamboats and shipping at Acquia Creek. Several regiments were reviewed by the President. In the afternoon Mr. Lincoln, accompanied by General McDowell, Gen. Patrick, and a body-guard, visited and rode through the streets of Fredericksburgh. The President was greeted by the troops and many of the citizens with the utmost enthusiasm. A National salute was fired by one of the batteries in Falmouth. The Presidential party returned late in the evening to Washington.

—A skirmish took place about five miles from Trenton Bridge, N. C, between a detachment of Union troops under command of Colonel Amory, consisting of twelve companies of cavalry, the Seventeenth and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts infantry, and a section of the Third New-York artillery, and a body of rebels secreted in the woods along the roadside. After a fierce contest, which lasted only about ten minutes, the rebels were routed, leaving nine of their number dead on the field, among whom was Lieutenant Rogers, a favorite officer among them.—N. Y. Tribune.

—A soldier, belonging to Col. Catherwood’s regiment, Sixth Missouri State Militia, named Donegan, was inhumanly murdered by “bushwhackers,” within gun-shot hearing of his father’s house, from which he was returning unarmed to his regiment. Several outrages of this kind having occurred about this time in the neighborhood of Cameron, Missouri, Col. Catherwood detailed a scouting party of sixty men, under the command of Capt Bassett, to ferret out the perpetrators. After four days’ ceaseless riding, they succeeded in capturing eighteen prisoners, twenty-nine Mississippi rifles, and three kegs of powder.—Missouri Democrat.

—The Charleston Mercury of this day publishes the following circular, which, it says, is “the deliberate expression of probably the largest, wealthiest and most influential class of the citizens of New-Orleans,” and says, also, that “for reasons that will be manifest to all,” no signatures are attached to it:

“To Cotton Planters. — New-Orleans has fallen, not degraded or enslaved, but yielding to armed ships with guns levelled at the homes of our defenceless wives and children. The escutcheon of Louisiana is unstained, and her flag has been desecrated but by her enemies. None could be found among us so vile, low or degraded as to lower her national insignia. We have yielded to brute force but for the moment.

“It becomes now the duty of all planters to display more than ever their patriotism and devotion to their country. They have sealed that devotion upon the battle-field. Now let us fight our enemies, as well by burning and destroying every bale of cotton upon the river or rivers liable to capture, as well as refusing ever to ship or sell a bale of cotton until peace is declared and our nationality is fixed. Let their conquest be a barren one.

“The merchant fleets of Europe and of Yankeedom will soon be bringing their riches among us to trade with us, expecting an exchange of cotton. If commerce is once revived we are enslaved for ever. Let Europe howl at the waste the barbarity of the North will have brought upon the country. The United States Government has promised renewed trade to the world so soon as our ports are opened. If we are true to ourselves, there will be no trade, and the countless millions of foreign products will be without purchasers. How long will they remain idle spectators of such a scene? The Powers of Europe will see that there is no sentiment of regard for the old flag—that we despise the race; and when we withhold or destroy our property, they will find that Unionism is dead for ever.”

The United States steamers Ceres and Lockwood pursued the rebel steamer Alice up Roanoke River, and captured her about two miles below Williamston. She had on board bacon for the rebel army, and the church-bells of Plymouth, which were to be cast into field-pieces. At Plymouth, the Commodore Perry found the lantern from the light-boat at the mouth of Roanoke River, concealed in the Custom-House.— Official Report.

—In the United States Senate Mr. Wright, of Indiana, presented a petition from citizens of that State, asking Congress to stop the agitation of the negro question and attend to the business of putting down the rebellion.

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May 13.—Martial law went into force in Charleston, S. C, this day. Squads of the Provost-Marshal’s guard were to be seen here and there in the more public portions of the city, and many a luckless wight, in military or semi-military costume, who had no furlough or leave of absence to show, was trotted off to the guard-house, where he either did have, or at some future time will have, an opportunity of giving an account of himself. In more than one instance eminently peaceful individuals, affecting the jaunty and warlike “Beauregard cap,” were hauled up with that true military sternness which is deaf alike to entreaties and remonstances. The quiet precincts of the City Hall were suddenly converted into a veritable camp, to the manifest delight of the urchins who thronged the railings of the enclosure, gazing admiringly upon the taut canvas walls.

There was a great rush at the passport office. Owing to the very limited time allotted for the preparation of passports, only a small portion of those desiring to leave the city were accommodated with the indispensable documents. Some arrangement should immediately be made to remedy this great inconvenience to the public. If the passport system is to be carried out, it is absolutely necessary that the passport office should be open to applicants at all hours —or nearly so. Otherwise, persons passing through the city upon legitimate business will be subject to unreasonable and altogether needless delay.— Charleston Mercury, May 14.

—Gen. Fremont with his command reached Franklin, Western Virginia. He went thither by forced marches, as it was apprehended that an attack would be made on Generals Schenck and Milroy, already in that neighborhood. — The Army of the Potomac made an average advance of twelve miles to-day.—Major-General Halleck at Monterey, Tenn., issued an order expelling newspaper correspondents from his lines.

—General Butler at New-Orleans, issued the following order:—”It appearing that The New Orleans Crescent, a newspaper published in this city, is owned and edited by J. O. Nixon, a rebel, now in arms against the Government of the United States, the Commanding General of this Department orders that the publication of that newspaper be suppressed; and that no publication, by pamphlet, handbill, or otherwise, in any form whatever, shall be made from said office after the promulgation of this order.”

—Brigadier-Gen. Kelly was, with a force of National troops, attacked this afternoon in a pass at Reedy Creek, Va., by guerrillas firing from the mountain-top, but no one was killed or wounded. His men made a gallant charge up the mountain, and returned the guerrillas’ fire with so much spirit, that they fled and made their escape.— Gen. Kelly’s Despatch.

—The rebel armed steamer Planter was run out of the harbor of Charleston, S. C, by a crew of negroes, and surrendered to Commander Parrott, of the United States steamer Augusta. At four o’clock in the morning, Robert Small, pilot of the Planter, got up steam, cast off his moorings, took on board, besides his regular crew, five women and three children, hoisted the rebel and Palmetto flags, steamed down the bay, saluted the forts as he passed them, pulled down the flags when he got past the last fort, hoisted instead a white flag, and steamed boldly out to the blockading vessel.—(Doc. 36.)

—Suffolk, in Virginia, was occupied by Major Dodge with a portion of General Wool’s command.—General Wool’s Despatch.

—Eight hundred and eighty-five prisoners, released from Richmond on parole, left Old Point. Ninety rebel prisoners, who were to be returned to Richmond, positively refused to go, and took the oath of allegiance.—N. Y. Tribune, May 14.

—A Reconnoitring party, under Brigadier General Smith, had a skirmish with the rebel pickets, near Monterey, Tenn., which resulted in killing two, wounding three, and capturing five rebels. The National loss was two.

—At New-Orleans, La., General Butler issued the following order:

It having come to the knowledge of the Commanding General that Friday next is proposed to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, in obedience to some supposed proclamation of one Jefferson Davis, in the several churches of this city, it is ordered that no such observance be had.

Churches and religious houses are to be kept open, as in times of profound peace, but no religious exercises are to be had upon the supposed authority above mentioned.

—Last evening the rebels commenced shelling Fort Wright, on the Mississippi River, from behind Craighead Point, which, until yesterday, was occupied by the National mortar-boats. They kept up a fire during the night, the shells exploding wide of the mark. They are provided with mortars equal in weight of metal to those used by the Federal fleet.—Chicago Tribune, May 15.

—Dr. Nathan S. Jarvis, surgeon of the regular army, died at Baltimore, Md., this morning.

—Natchez, Miss., surrendered to the Union fleet, under the command of Flag-Officer Farragut—(Doc. 108.)

—The Mobile Evening Telegraph, of this date, contains the following: As is customary, a handcar is sent from Pass Manchac down to Kenner, to ascertain if the road is clear; if so, a signal is given to the conductor of the regular train. In this instance, on Friday evening, the first handcar went down and was questioned by the Federal pickets and allowed to pass. The second car attempted to run past and was fired upon, killing two men and wounding two others. One of the men killed is said to be Mr. Crickard, Assistant Quartermaster at Camp Moore. The third handcar that went down they seized, and took the other two and the hands on board prisoners. Then about twenty-five Federal soldiers came up on the hand-cars and fired on our soldiers stationed to guard the bridge. The Federals set fire to the bridge, and our forces fired two shots at the enemy, when they retreated toward New Orleans. Our forces then went to work and extinguished the fire.

—Genekal Negley, of the army of the Southwest, occupied the town of Rogersville, in Northern Alabama, and drove the rebels across the Tennessee River.—(Doc. 35.)

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May 12.—General McClellan, in camp at Roper’s Church, Virginia, sent the following despatch to the War Department:

“Commander Rodgers writes me to-day that he went with the gunboats yesterday past Little Brandon. Every thing quiet and no signs of troops crossing the river. He found two batteries, of ten or twelve guns each, on the south side of James River; one opposite the mouth of the Warwick, the other about south-west from Mulberry Point.

“The upper battery, on Hardin’s, or Mother Pine’s Bluff, has heavy rifled pieces. Between the batteries lay the Jamestown and Yorktown. Commander Rodgers offered battle, but the gunboats moved off. He silenced one battery and ran past the other.”

—Harvey Brown was confirmed as Brevet Brigadier-General in the United States army.

— President Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that the blockade of the ports of Beaufort, Port Royal, and New-Orleans shall so far cease and determine, from and after the first of June next, that commercial intercourse with these ports, except as to persons and things and information contraband of war, may from that time be carried on, subject to the laws of the United States and to the limitations and in pursuance of the regulations which are prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.— (Doc. 14.)

—Commander Palmer, of the United States steamer Iroquois, demanded the surrender of the city of Natchez, Mississippi, to the naval forces of the United States.

—Two regiments from Kentucky and Tennessee attempted to desert from the rebel army, near Corinth, but were forcibly detained.—The rebel steamer Gov. Morton was captured.

—The United States Senate passed Mr. DooIittle’s bill providing for the collection of taxes in the insurrectionary districts.—During a debate on the motion fixing a time of adjournment, Mr. Wilson called Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, to order for uttering treasonable sentiments. After some explanation the point of order was withdrawn, and the motion laid on the table.

—A Convention of Unionists was held at Nashville, Tennessee, this day. Patriotic resolutions were adopted without dissent, and eloquent addresses were made by Governor Andrew Johnson, William H. Polk, General Campbell, Wm. B. Stokes, W. H. Wisner, Edmund Cooper, and others. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to the people of the State; and the policy of Governor Johnson was “cordially approved.”— (Doc. 97.)

—The Charleston (S. C.) Courier of this date congratulates the citizens of Charleston upon their being four times stronger than New-Orleans. Large consignments of stones from Columbia and the interior, and iron chains and other materials will soon be on their way to aid in constructing a stone wall to block out the invaders from approaching within shelling distance of the city. The Southern papers condemn General Butler’s order No. 28, as “cowardly and infamous,” but do not publish it

—This night a party under Lieut. Flusser of the Commodore Perry went on shore six miles above Elizabeth City, N. C, and three miles into the country, and recovered the White Point Light-House apparatus. To prevent information of the movement being conveyed to some rebel cavalry in the neighborhood, all the men found on the route were retained until every thing had been conveyed to one of the boats, which was done by some rebel teams pressed into the service.— Official Report.

May 11.—The jayhawker Cleveland, whose band of robbers had infested Northern Kansas for some months past, was arrested at Ossawatomie by Lieut Walker and ten men of the Kansas Sixth. Cleveland broke away from the guard, and was killed while attempting to escape. One of his band named Barbour, was arrested at the same time, and taken to Fort Leavenworth for safe keeping.

—Craney Island, Va., was abandoned by the rebels yesterday, and to-day the National forces took possession of the fortifications and raised the flag of the United States.

—One hundred and forty of Morgan’s cavalry at noon to-day captured forty-eight freight and four passenger-cars and two locomotives at Cave City, Ky. Morgan supposed the train would contain two hundred and eighty cavalry prisoners, bound northward. The operator at Cave City, however, gave notice of these facts to Bowling Green, and stopped the upward train. Among the captured Nationals were Majors Helveti and Coffee, both of Wolford’s cavalry, and one other Federal officer and three or four soldiers. The rebels burned all the cars except two, and the locomotive.—Louisville Journal, May 12.

—The rebel iron-clad steamer Merrimac (Virginia) was blown up by order of her commander at her anchorage off Craney Island, Va.—(Doc. 12.)

—A letter from Albuquerque, New-Mexico, of this date, says: The Texans have continued their retreat to El Paso, and will leave the country entirely. They were greatly demoralized, broken up in bands, and devastating the country, and threatening to kill their General, Sibley, who, they say, deceived them by informing them that it was only necessary to march into the country, which was anxious to receive them, and all they had to do was to drive out the Federal officers, and that they would live and possess the country in ease and luxury.

The Colorado volunteers, (Pike’s Peakers,) and some one thousand regulars, are at and in the vicinity of Fort Craig, under command of Col. Paul. Gen. Canby has reestablished his headquarters at Santa Fe, where he and the staff are at present—Missouri Democrat.

—An expedition consisting of six squadrons of the First Wisconsin cavalry, from Cape Girardeau, Mo., went to Bloomfield yesterday, and early this morning fell upon the rebel Col. Phelan’s camp, scattering them in every direction, with one killed and eleven captured. A large number of horses and a quantity of camp equipage were also taken. A rebel force, numbering five or six hundred, infest Chalk and Poplar Bluffs, impressing all the men. The country is being swept of horses, cattle and supplies, which are sent South. The people are in a state of great terror.—Indianapolis Journal.

—The United States gunboats Freeborn and Island Belle, cut out of Piankatank River, in Virginia, two large schooners, one empty, the other loaded with whisky. Five persons were found on the shore of this river by the Captain of the Island Belle, who represented themselves as deserters from the confederate army.—N. Y. Times, May 24.

May 10.—White House, on the Pamunkey River, Virginia, was occupied by a company of National cavalry, who secured seven thousand bushels of wheat and four thousand bushels of corn. The rebels had burnt the railroad bridge and town, and torn up the road for some distance towards Richmond.—N. Y. Commercial, May 12.

—The rebel schooner Maria Teresa was captured this day by the United States gunboat Unadilla.—(Doc. 32.)

—A Union meeting was held at Shepardsville, Carteret County, N. C, this day. H. R. Bell was called to the chair, and Thomas Hill was appointed secretary. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That we deeply regret the unfortunate occurrence of the present war now progressing between the Federal Government and the Southern States.

Resolved, That in our opinion said war was brought on by a few hasty politicians, and not by any act of the Federal Government.

Resolved, Further, that we believe it to be the duty of all Union-loving men to meet and speak their Union sentiments, and also to take measures to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Resolved, That we desire protection by our Federal friends.

Resolved, That since it has become necessary to appoint a Military Governor for the State of North-Carolina, we heartily concur in the appointment of the Hon. Edward Stanly, to fill that office, and agree to invite the said Edward Stanly to visit us at Shepardsville.

—A plot was discovered in Paducah, Ky., spread among the people there of secession proclivities, by which the town was to be handed over to the rebels within a week. Information was given by one of their number.—Nashville Union, May 11.

—New-Kent Court-House, Va., was occupied by the National forces under the command of General Stoneman. The rebels, on leaving the town, destroyed two buildings containing commissary and quartermaster’s stores. — Boston Transcript, May 12.

—Cumberland, Va., a small town on the Pamunkey River, was deserted by the rebels and immediately occupied by the National troops.— National Intelligencer, May 12.

— The iron-clad steamer Ironsides, was launched this morning at Kensington, Philadelphia, Pa., in the presence of an immense crowd. The christening was performed by Commodore Stewart, of the “Old Ironsides,” at whose suggestion the name of “New Ironsides,” was given. —A Naval engagement took place near Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River between a rebel fleet of eight iron-clad gunboats and a Union fleet of six. Four of the rebel boats had rams. Two of the rebel boats were blown up, and a third sunk, when the remainder retreated precipitately under the guns of Fort Pillow. The National fleet was commanded by Capt. C. H. Davis.— (Doc. 30.)

–By General Butler’s order, there were seized at the office of the Consul of the Netherlands in New-Orleans one hundred and sixty kegs, each containing five thousand dollars in specie.— (Doc. 33.)

—General Wool, with five thousand men, landed at Willoughby’s Point, in Hampton Roads, and immediately marched upon Norfolk, Va. At five miles from Norfolk he was met by a delegation of citizens, who formally surrendered the city into his hands. It was immediately occupied, and Gen. Viele made Military Governor.—(Doc. 11.)

—A Meeting of the citizens was held at Bay River, N. C, for the purpose of forming a company of Union Home Guards. F. B. Silverthorn was chosen President, and Mathias Powers Secretary. Mr. Francis T. Riggs offered the following resolution, which was passed by the meeting:

Resolved, That if any of our company betrays the trust reposed in him, by giving aid to or revealing any of the operations of this company to any rebels, without instruction to do so from the proper authorities, he or they shall be immediately apprehended, and dealt with as traitors deserve.

Over ninety-seven of the citizens signed the roll. The president of the meeting addressed them effectively, and was authorized to appoint a captain and three lieutenants for the company. The object of the meeting was to clean out the lower part of the county of all traitors whatsoever, by apprehending them and carrying them before the military authorities of the Federal government—Newbern Progress, May 24.