The American Civil War

December 18.—Three companies of the Cameron Dragoons, under Major S. E. Smith, commanded respectively by Capt. Wilson, Company F; Lieut. Stetson, Company H; and Lieut. Hess, Company C, went on a scout on the roads leading to Fairfax Court House and Hunter’s Mills, Va. When within a mile and a half of Fairfax, these three officers, with eight privates, as an advance guard, encountered an equal number of the rebel cavalry. Instantly they gave chase, but the rebels fled, seeking the cover of a wood near by. In the chase they passed through an orchard, when one of the rebels dismounted under an apple tree, and, with his carbine, a five-shooter, rested against a tree and fired three shots at Major Smith. Fortunately none of them took effect. After vainly endeavoring to draw the rebels from the wood, the party rejoined the main body under the direction of the major, and rode to Vienna, and thence to Hunter’s Mills. When near the latter place, Capt. Wilson and Lieut. Stetson discovered a rebel who was endeavoring to make his escape. They dashed off after him and soon returned into camp with him as a prisoner. When introduced to Gen. Hancock, the latter said: “Ah! Vollin, I am glad to see you—we have been looking for you for some time past.” He is said to be a spy, and a most notorious picket murderer.—Philadelphia Press, December 20.

—The United States Marshal Hiram Dunn arrested at St. Albans, Vt., Mrs. Meyer, the wife of a German Jew residing in New York, who had been acting as a messenger between the rebels who congregate in Montreal and the South. She was extremely violent for a few minutes, but found it best to put up with what could not be avoided, and submitted to an examination of her person and trunk by some ladies. The result was the discovery of a package of letters containing important treasonable correspondence.—Burlington Free Press.

—The English journals of this day contain comments upon the Message of President Lincoln to Congress. The document is generally attacked, and comparisons are drawn between it and the one lately emanating from Jeff. Davis—much to its disadvantage, the English newspapers contend. The point made of the President’s silence relative to the Trent affair is that it is indicative of immediate war—-the exceptions to this view being few. It appears to be difficult for the English press to accept any other solution of the Trent difficulty but that of war. The Observer, the Ministerial organ, says that England wishes for peace, but that she will gain by war, as it will enable her to rectify her American frontiers, open the ports of the South, and give a lesson to the United States. A rumor was current that the blocking up of Charleston harbor with stone was likely to lead to difficulty; that England’s warlike preparations would continue in view thereof, and that her demands did not end with the surrender of Mason and Slidell. The war preparations in England continue unabated.

In France the view of the President’s Message was somewhat similar to that held in England. The general opinion appeared to be that war was inevitable. A circular has been, sent by the Emperor to the European Powers, declaring that the arrest of Mason and Slidell is contrary to principles regarded as essential to the security of neutral flags, and stating that the French Government deemed it necessary to submit this opinion to the Cabinet at Washington, in order to determine it to make concessions which the French Government deemed indispensable.

—A Detachment of Gen. Pope’s forces, under command of Col. J. C. Davis and Major Marshall, surprised a rebel camp at Millford, a little north of Warrensburgh, Mo., this afternoon, and, surrounding the enemy, forced them to surrender. Thirteen hundred prisoners, including three colonels, seventeen captains, one thousand stand of arms, one thousand horses, sixty-five wagons, and a large quantity of tents, baggage, and supplies were captured. The Nationals lost two killed and eight wounded.— (Doc. 231.)

—A Reconnoitring expedition, under command of Commander Drayton, U. S. N., left Port Royal, S. C., on the 16th inst., and the next day sailed up the North Edisto River, S. C. On Edisto Island fortifications were discovered, which, on landing, were found to be deserted. The expedition then sailed up a small creek to the town of Rockville, S. C., from which, at about a mile’s distance, was a rebel camp. This camp was unoccupied, and over forty tents were taken possession of, the most valuable part of the camp equipage having been removed by negroes. This morning the expedition ran down to the South Edisto, S. C., and, proceeding up the river, found on Edisto Island some deserted fortifications—the guns having been removed. The expedition then anchored in the North Edisto again.—(Doc. 232.)

—The Common Council of New Haven, Ct, this evening passed resolutions requesting the Governor of the State to cause the immediate construction of fortifications at New Haven harbor. The Governor had authority from the Legislature to establish a depot of arms and ammunition at New Haven.

December 17.—Great excitement was produced throughout the United States by the belligerent tone of the British press in reference to the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.

—A reconnoissance was made in, Virginia today by a squadron of the First New Jersey Cavalry, belonging to Gen. Heintzelrnan’s Division, under command of Capt. Shellmire. A portion of the squadron, commanded by Lieut. Janville, of Company L, of Jersey City, was ordered to proceed to the Bone Mills, to the left of Springfield station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about seven miles from the head-quarters of Gen. Heintzelman. The company there halted, when the lieutenant, with an orderly, proceeded two miles beyond, but on attempting to return they found themselves surrounded by rebel infantry. The lieutenant was shot in six places, and the horse of the orderly killed. The orderly made his escape. The company in reserve, hearing the firing, proceeded to render assistance, and on their approach the enemy fled, leaving the lieutenant behind, after robbing him of his small arms and nearly all his clothing.—Baltimore American, December 18.

—Four companies of Colonel Willich’s German Indiana regiment were attacked this afternoon on the south side of Green River, opposite Mumfordsville, Ky., by Colonel Terry’s regiment of Texan Rangers, two regiments of infantry, and six pieces of artillery. Colonel Willich, on being reinforced, drove the rebels back with a loss of thirty-three killed, including Terry, and fifty wounded. The National loss was eight privates and one lieutenant killed, and sixteen wounded.—(Doc. 229.)

—The bark Island City left Boston, Mass., for Fortress Monroe, Va., with two hundred and fifty of the rebels captured at Hatteras, who had been released from captivity at Fort Warren by the National Government.

—Last night a successful little movement occurred on the Cumberland River, near Paducah, which goes to show that our friends in that region are alert and active. It seems that twenty-eight mounted Federals left Smithland on, a scouting expedition, and during the evening they happened upon a “corn-shucking.” Thinking to have a good time, they picketed their horses, stacked their arms, and “pitched in.” One of our friends quietly slipped away and gave the alarm to Capt. Wilcox, who, with fourteen of his men, proceeded to the scene of merry-making, quietly took possession of the Hessians’ horses and arms, and then captured the whole party, except the captain. The latter endeavored to escape, when he was shot. The prisoners and spoils were carried to Hopkinsville. Capt. W. is now in a condition to treat for the release of a few of his men, including a lieutenant, who were captured a short time since.—Memphis Appeal, December 24.

—An expedition, under command of Gen. Pope, successfully cut off a rebel camp near Shawnee Mound, Missouri, and scattered them, twenty-two hundred strong, in every direction. One hundred and fifty prisoners were taken, with most of the rebels’ wagons, tents, baggage, horses, &c. A train of seventy wagons, well loaded for Price’s rebel army, was captured.— (Doc. 231.)

December 16.—This day, at Richmond, Va., Henry C. Burnett and Judge Monroe were sworn in as Senators from Kentucky, which State has just been admitted into the Confederacy.—Norfolk Day Book, November 17.

—David Maxey, who lived about five miles from Hardyville and ten miles from Green River Bridge, Ky., was killed in his own house by some of the Southern cavalry scouting in that neighborhood. They chased their victim to the second story of his house, and shot him twice, causing instant death. — Louisville Journal, December20.

—This morning eight men, three from the Second and five from the Fourth New Jersey regiments in Gen. Kearney’s brigade, General Franklin’s division, near Washington, D. C., left their respective companies, which were on picket duty at Edsall’s Hill, Va., and went to a house between Burke’s station and Annandale. While there, apparently in obedience to a signal by the occupant, a body of about a hundred and fifty rebel cavalry suddenly came upon them, and three who were in the house were taken prisoners. Their names were Dennis H. Williamson, who was wounded; Cornelius Lowe, and Hiram R. Parsons, all of the Second regiment. The other five escaped.

—The Fourth and Fifth regiments of the “Irish Brigade,” under command of Acting Brigadier-General Col. Thomas Francis Meagher, left New York to-day for the seat of war.

—In the House of Representatives, at Washington, D. C., to-day, Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, offered a resolution commending the bold and patriotic conduct of Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. steamer San Jacinto, in seizing the rebel emissaries, Mason and Slidell, while on board a English steamer, and urging the President to approve and adopt the act, “in spite of any menace or demand of the British Government.” The resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.—(Doc. 228.)

—The Eleventh regiment of Connecticut volunteers, under the command of Colonel Kingsland, left Hartford for the seat of war.— The Fortieth regiment of Ohio volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. Cranor, left Camp Chase, at Columbus, for Kentucky.

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Late addition to Vol. 3:

December 16.—The rebel General Zollicoffer issued a proclamation to-day, at Beech Grove, Ky., to the people of Southeastern Kentucky, in which he assures them that his only object in entering their State is to drive out the Northern hordes who are attempting their subjugation. He tells them, the object of this unnatural war is to free the slaves, put arms in their hands, and give them social and political equality with the whites. He conjures them by all they hold dear not to join the Northern ranks, but to strike with the South for independence, and the preservation of property.—(Doc. 244.)