ON page 220 we publish a picture, by Mr. Thomas Nast, representing the arrival of one of our regiments on a Southern plantation, and their reception by the ladies and negroes of the plantation. The picture explains itself. We append, however, a newspaper extract from an officer’s letter in Dixie:
Heavy planters live all along the road, whose broad acres extend for miles, and whose aristocratic mansions show them to be the nabobs of the soil. Long rows of negro cabins are seen at short distances from the residence, indicating that the “institution” still flourishes here. These negroes, in huge numbers, men, women, and children, come and evince the most comical and unsophisticated manifestations of delight at our appearance. The older ones bow, and grin, and scrape, and throw themselves into all sorts of the most ludicrous attitudes. The younger ones dance and frisk about in high glee. “Gora-mighty bless you, gemmen — may you live allers!” exclaimed a delighted old darkey as we passed yesterday. At the same time he bowed himself almost to the ground. These poor creatures are about all the friends we have in this region. They most willingly give all the information they have. (Harper’s Week;y, April 4, 1863)
Camp Reynolds, Virginia, March 4, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — Getting on finely. The boys busy and very happy. Webb, I fancy, is a good deal such a boy is [as] Lorenzo was. He is to be seen driving some soldier’s team or riding whenever there is a chance. Lucy will probably leave in a fortnight or so, probably about the time we go to Charleston.
The new conscription law strikes me as a capital measure. I hope it will be judiciously and firmly administered.
I have an offer for my Hamilton property one thousand dollars cash, one thousand dollars in six months, and the balance of fifteen hundred in three equal annual payments. Before the war I would have taken it quickly enough, but I am not sure now but the real estate is best. It pays taxes and about one hundred dollars a year rent. What could I do with the money?
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
March 4, 1863.—The regiment has just received orders to march to Fort Donelson and leave at once. I expect we women will have to go home.
Wednesday, 4th—The engineers finished calking the steam tug and with ropes attached to it some five or six thousand men succeeded in pulling it overland to the lake where it is to be launched. I crossed the lake in a skiff to the south side to buy some notions of a sutler with the Fourth Division. Among other articles, I purchased a diary for seventy-five cents, for the purpose of keeping a record of my army life. We were ordered to prepare for inspection.
Wednesday March 4th 1863.
Congress adjourned at twelve O’clock today. The Senate is again convened by proclimation of the Prest for further Confirmations and perhaps for counsel and as advisors of the Prest. Public affairs look rather more bright. Mr Chase now has almost unlimited powers for raising money confered upon him. Not much apprehension is felt now about his being able to carry the war along. The War news is more favorable. Fort McAllister below Savannah has been taken by our troops and “Iron Clads” and that was the Principal defense of Savannah. We shall hear from Charleston very soon. It is reported in the papers that the Rebels have evacuated Vicksburgh after a hard fought Battle. We will know for certain in a day or two. I got some Photographs of myself at Addiss today, the first I have ever had taken as Photographs. I was on the Avenue after office hours. The celebrated Sword recently presented to Genl Siegel attracts much attention in Jeweler Semkins window. It is a very elegant article. He has just resigned. Genl Halleck to blame for that. Spent an hour at Charleys, a short time in the Hospital, and the bal of the evening with my friends Mr & Mrs Schram at their room very pleasantly. Returned to my room at eleven o’clock.
Grand Lake Landing, Ark., Wednesday, March 4. When we again started, the air was very raw and cold. Hailed at the mouth of White River by a gunboat and we had to come to and report at 9 A. M. Passed Napoleon at 11 A. M. which was nearly inundated. In the afternoon a race took place between the “Campbell” and the “Louisiana” which came up, and after about half an hour took the lead. 5 P. M. the fleet landed at Grand Lake Landing, eighteen miles above Providence. We immediately commenced unloading; got everything off except the horses. They were harnessed, but were again unharnessed. Slept on the boat.
4th. After the work in the morning repaired to headquarters and heard Andy Johnson of Tennessee and Gov. Wright of Indiana. Both spoke well, said much to encourage us soldiers and discourage traitors. Received good letters from Sarah Felton, Ella Clark and home. Went over to see Charlie. Wrote a line to Delos.
Wednesday, 4th—Company on picket. All gamblers and pirutes put on roots. I came under the latter head.
MARCH 4TH.—The enemy bombarded FortMcAlister again yesterday, several gun-boats opening fire on it. It lasted all day; during which one of the iron-clads retired, perhaps injured. We had only two men wounded and one gun (8 in. columbiad) dismounted. The fort was but little injured.
Recent Northern papers assert that their gun-boats have all passed through the canal opposite Vicksburg. This is not true—yet.
Lincoln is now Dictator, his Congress having given him power to call out all the male population between the ages of twenty and thirty-five years, and authority to declare martial law whenever he pleases. The Herald shouts for Lincoln—of course. We must fight and pray, and hope for revolution and civil war in the North, which may occur any day.
Our cavalry, under Gen. Jones, has done some brilliant skirmishing recently in the vicinity of Winchester; and as soon as the March winds dry the earth a little, I suppose Hooker will recommence the “On to Richmond.” We shall be weaker the next campaign, but our men are brave.
March 4.—The First East-Tennessee cavalry, Colonel Johnson, had a fight with a party of rebels led by Colonel Rogers, at a point on Harpeth River, near Chapel Hill, Tenn.; killed twelve, and captured seventy-two of the rebels, with all their horses and accoutrements. Majors Burkhart and Macy were in command of the National cavalry, all of whom passed through the engagement without injury.—The Thirty-seventh Congress of the United States terminated.—The sloop Ida was captured near Charlotte Harbor, Fla., by the blockading schooner James S. Chambers.—The Second New-Hampshire regiment returned to Concord.
—A skirmish took place at Skeet, N. C, between a scouting detachment of National troops under the command of Captain Richardson, of the Third New-York cavalry, and a party of rebel guerrillas, in which the latter were routed and dispersed. The Union party then advanced to Swan Quarter, where they encountered a superior body of rebels, but after a sharp fight of twenty minutes, they completely routed them, killing and wounding twenty-eight of their number. In this skirmish the Unionists had three men killed and fifteen wounded.—Newbern Progress.
—The office of the Volksblatt, a German antiwar Democratic paper, published at Belleville, Mo., was visited by some persons unknown and thrown into disorder.
