February 18.—At Charleston, S. C, General Beauregard issued the following proclamation: “It has become my solemn duty to inform the authorities and citizens of Charleston and Savannah that the movements of the enemy’s fleet indicate an early land and naval attack on one or both cities, and to urge that persons unable to take an active part in the struggle shall retire. It is hoped, however, that this temporary separation of some of you from your homes will be made without alarm or undue haste, thus showing that the only feeling which animates you in this hour of supreme trial is the right of being able to participate in the defence of your homes, your altars, and the graves of your kindred. Carolinians and Georgians! the hour is at hand to prove your country’s cause. Let all able-bodied men from the sea-board to the mountains rush to arms. Be not too exacting in the choice of weapons. Pikes and scythes will do for exterminating your enemies, spades and shovels for protecting your firesides. To arms, fellow-citizens! Come to share with us our danger, our brilliant success, or our glorious death.”—About noon to-day ten wagons sent out on a foraging expedition from Memphis, were attacked and captured in Nonconnah Bottom, by a party of one hundred and fifty rebel cavalry.
—Secretary Chase transmitted to Congress to-day a report of Hiram Barney, Government cotton agent at New-York, the footings of which showed that he had sold at public auction since the blockade commenced, three thousand three hundred and twenty-five bales of sea island and upland cotton, and one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine bales of unginned cotton, valued at six hundred and ninety-six thousand five hundred and sixty-two dollars.
—The siege of Vicksburg was commenced to-day by the Union mortar-boats, which threw a number of shells into the city. The rebels opened three batteries of heavy guns on the boats, but their shot fell short, and did no injury.
—By order of General R. B. Mitchell, commanding the National forces at Nashville, Tenn., G. W. Donegan and W. H. Calhoun, two wealthy citizens of that place, were arrested and confined in the State penitentiary, as hostages for the safe return within the National lines of John A. Galty and T. T. Tabb, Union men held by the rebels at Chattanooga.—Clifton, Tenn., was captured and destroyed by a detachment of the Third Michigan cavalry under the command of Captain Cicero Newell.—Philadelphia Inquirer.
—A Democratic Convention which met to-day at Frankfort, Ky., for the purpose of nominating candidates for State officers for the ensuing August election, was broken up and dispersed by Colonel S. A. Gilbert, under orders received from Brigadier-General Q. A. Gillmore, commanding the district. The members of the Convention were said to be avowed rebel sympathizers.
