The American Civil War

November 29.—The following was drawn up to-day on board the British frigate President, lying in one of the docks in England, and signed by all the men of the naval reserve in the ship.

To Capt. Lacy, R. N., her Majesty’s ship President, City Canal:

Sir : Having heard that our flag has been grossly insulted by an American ship-of-war, and people who claimed its protection forcibly taken from it and made prisoners, we write this to let you know that we are ready to fulfil our engagement and protect the honor of our flag, our good Queen and country, whenever called upon to do se. We respectfully request you will make this our determination known in the proper quarter.

[Signed on behalf of the volunteer reserve on board the President.]—London Telegraph, Nov. 30.

—At eleven o’clock to-night the heavens to the southwest of Charleston, S. C., were brilliantly illuminated with the patriotic flames ascending from burning cotton. As the spectators witnessed it they involuntarily burst forth with cheer after cheer, and each heart was warmed as with a new pulse. Such a people can never be subjugated. Let the holy flames continue to ascend, and let the demons of hell, who come here on their diabolical errand, learn a lesson and tremble. Let the torch be applied whenever the invader pollutes our soil, and let him find, as is meet, that our people will welcome him only with devastation and ruin. Our people are in earnest—men, women, and children—and their sacrifices will ascend as a sacred holocaust to God, crying aloud for vengeance against the fiends in human shape who are disgracing humanity, trampling down civilization, and would blot out Christianity. Patriotic planters on the seaboard are hourly applying the torch to their crops of cotton and rice. Some are authorized by military authorities to destroy their crops to prevent ravages by the enemy. Plantations on North Edisto and in the neighborhood, and elsewhere on the coast of South Carolina, are one sheet of flames and smoke. The commanding officers at all of the exposed points on the coast have receive positive instructions to burn or destroy all property which cannot be conveniently taken away and is likely to be seized by the enemy.— Charleston Mercury, November 30.

—An official order was received at the Custom-house, in London, England, not to allow the shipment of any saltpetre to any place till further order. A large quantity had been placed in lighters previous to shipment for export, but the whole was relanded under the supervision of the Customs officers, and returned into warehouse.—London Times, November 30.

—Major R. M. Hough, aide-de-camp to Gen. Hunter, in command of four companies of the First Missouri Cavalry, as escort to a large train from Sedalia, Mo., arrived at Leavenworth, Kansas. The command had an engagement with rebels at Black Walnut Creek, and killed and wounded seventeen and took five prisoners. Five Federals, including Major Hough, were wounded, but none seriously.— N. Y. Commercial, December 2.

—The Jackson Mississippian, in an article on the pay of the privates in the rebel army, holds the following language:—It has been a conviction of ours since the beginning of the war, that there was too great a distinction made between the privates and commissioned officers of our army. Under the old order of things, such a distinction and difference in pay was, perhaps, altogether proper. But our Southern army is composed of the flower of the country. The privates occupy respectable social positions. They are not, as in the case with Northern horde, the refuse of society, who take up arms as a means of securing their daily bread, but they are .the social equals of their officers. They have enlisted in the service of the country from the purest promptings of patriotism. They endure all the privations and hardships of the camp; and their high tone of character, disinterested and quenchless love for the cause of liberty, make each one of them equal to at least three of Lincoln’s mercenaries. They deserve to receive more, nay, and higher consideration than the mere brutish hirelings of a despot, who know not, and care not, what they are fighting for.

When it is considered that the officers are already handsomely paid, that they monopolize in a great measure the honors of the war, and their names figure conspicuously in the official reports and newspaper accounts, surely it will not be denied that the poor private, whose name is never mentioned, and to whose courage and patriotism the army is indebted for its most brilliant victories, should receive a better compensation for the sacrifices and hardships which he undergoes than is now allowed by the pay regulations. And when it is further considered that many of them are poor, with dependent families to support, and that provisions and clothing of every description have largely increased in price, it will be universally admitted, we think, that their pay should be increased. For these and many other reasons, we think the Confederate Congress, when it reassembles, will promptly raise the pay of the private soldier.

—Lieutenant John L. Worden, of the U. S. Navy, who had been seven months a prisoner in the South, arrived at Washington.—(Doc. 204.)

—To-day Drake DeKay, aide-de-camp to General Mansfield, accompanied by Major Sharfp, Captain Hellerer and Capt. Breck, left Fortress Monroe, Va., with a party of about forty men. They had not travelled long before they met with a body of the Prince Edward Cavalry, twenty-five to thirty in number, about a mile beyond New Market. De Kay had not more than a dozen men, the balance being in reserve. The enemy attacked with fire, but the Federals took to the woods and opened upon them so briskly that they were soon forced to retreat, leaving two killed, while they succeeded in carrying off the wounded.

One of the former was Mr. Edward A. Scott, of Richmond, a gentleman well known in Baltimore as well as Virginia. Upon his person was found, among other things, a letter from a lady, dated Richmond. The following was the concluding sentence, saying: “Now be sure, my darling Edward, that this letter does not fall into the hands of the rascally Yankees.” The Federals took a number of pistols, some of which were of the most approved standard, and handsomely ornamented with silver.—N. Y. Commercial, December 8.

—At Nashville, Tenn., twenty-one prisoners from East Tennessee appeared in the Confederate court, acknowledged the error of their ways, took the oath of loyalty to the Southern Confederacy, and attached themselves to a company being raised in Nashville. — Nashville Gazette, November 30.

— The rebels at Harper’s Ferry, Va., opened a hot fire of shells on the quarters of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania regiment, causing some excitement among the men. Major Tyndall returned the fire with Enfield rifles, but the distance was too great to do any damage. None of the Pennsylvania men were hurt. — N. Y. Herald, November 30.

— General Carroll has received orders from the War Department at Richmond, Va., to march immediately to the support of General Zollicoffer. The step is one in the right direction, and will, we doubt not, be taken without delay. —Memphis Appeal, November 2.(sic)

November 28.—A submarine telegraph cable was successfully laid between Forts Moultrie and Sumter, in Charleston (S. C.) harbor, by Messrs. Seville, Denby, and Hobbs. When the burying of the cable was completed a salute was simultaneously fired in honor of the event from the forts, the order having been transmitted from Fort Moultrie. The communication between the forts was perfect, and much to the satisfaction of the skilful operators concerned. —Norfolk Day Book, November 30.

—Two schooners from Baltimore, Md., one laden with coal and one with lumber, were captured by the steamer George Page, as they lay becalmed under the rebel batteries, on the Potomac. The National pickets challenged the Page, which passed in pursuit within a hundred yards of them, but the reply that she was a United States steamer deceived them.

The Fifty-seventh and Sixty-first regiments of New York, the latter commanded by Col. Cone, made a reconnoissance from Springfield, nine miles from Alexandria, Va., and went three miles and a half beyond the Federal pickets, toward Manassas, when, discovering a rebel force numbering eight thousand men, they returned to their starting point, reaching it in good order and without casualties.

—For the first time in the history of Virginia, thanksgiving-day was observed in that State. Governor Pierpont is the first Governor of Virginia who ever proclaimed one. Business was entirely suspended.—(Doc. 202.)

—The Concordia Cavalry, Capt. Benjamin, left their encampment at Concordia, La., on the Magenta, for Bowling Green, Ky. They bear in their midst a large-sized black flag, on which appear, in bold relief, death’s head and bare bones. These Concordians go to expel, not capture, vandal invaders of their homes and firesides, and they will make their mark. — Concordia Intelligencer, November 29.

— This morning the schooner Waterman, Capt. Huron, for Charleston, S. C., was wrecked off Tybee. She fell into the hands of the Yankee blockaders. — Last night the cotton and provisions on Hutchinson, Fenwick, and adjoining islands were destroyed by fire by the proprietors. — Commissary-General Whitaker, of Georgia, seized in that State, one thousand five hundred and forty sacks of salt, for which be paid as directed by Governor Brown. — The colored people of Vicksburg, Miss., advertise in the papers of that city to give a ball for the benefit of the soldiers from that State, in the Confederate service. — General Lee issued an order granting furloughs to these members of the South Carolina Legislature who were serving as soldiers in the Confederate States army, in that State, during the session, which commenced on the 25th ult. — Savannah News.

—Adjutant-Gen. Thomas sent out instructions to Gen. Sherman, in Beaufort, S. C., to take possession of all the crops on the island — cotton, corn, rice, etc.— on military account, and ship the cotton, and such other crops as were not wanted for the army, to New York, to be sold there for account of the United States; also, to use negro slaves to gather and secure the crops of cotton and corn, and to erect his defences at Port Royal and other places on the island. — Washington Republican, Nov. 30.

—A Band of rebels, under the notorious Sy. Gordon, captured Capt. Robb, Capt. White, and Lieutenant Moonlight, three United States officers, from the railroad train, at Weston, Missouri. — The Sixty-third New York regiment (third regiment, Irish Brigade) left New York for Washington.

— Col. Mulligan, the commander of the Irish Brigade at the siege of Lexington, Mo., had a reception at Detroit, Mich., and in response to a speech of welcome made an address, rehearsing some interesting particulars of the siege. — (Doc. 203.)

— The Annual Thanksgiving festival of the Free States was celebrated this day — with more than usual earnestness. Proclamations by various persons in authority called attention to it as a fit occasion to render thanks, especially, that so many loyal men were ready to fight for the honor and glory of the country.

November 27.—The following is a list of rebel vessels captured by the Federal flotilla in Mississippi Sound, since the 21st of November: Steamer Anna, loaded with spirits turpentine, rosin, and cane-bottom chairs; schooner Olive, loaded with lumber originally intended for Ship Island, but at this time destined for Fort Pike; steamer Lewis, loaded with sugar and molasses; schooner J. H. View, loaded with spirits turpentine and tar.—N. Y. Evening Post, Dec. 17.

—At Liverpool, England, soon after noon today, a private telegram was received announcing the boarding of the Trent by a Federal vessel of war, and the forcible removal of the Southern Commissioners. The intelligence spread with wonderful rapidity, and occasioned great excitement among all classes. On ‘Change the utmost indignation was expressed, and in a very brief space of time the following placard was posted:

“Outrage On The British Flag.—The Southern Commissioners Forcibly Removed From A British Mail Steamer.

“A public meeting will be held in the Cotton Sales-room at three o’clock.”

In compliance with the preceding announcement a meeting was held in the Cotton Salesroom at three o’clock, which was crowded to excess by nearly all the gentlemen frequenting the Exchange. The meeting was quite as remarkable for enthusiasm as numbers. After several gentlemen had been requested to preside, the chair was occupied by Mr. James Spence, and on taking the chair he proceeded to read the subjoined resolution:

“That this meeting, having heard with indignation that an American Federal ship-of-war has forcibly taken from a British mail steamer certain passengers, who were proceeding peaceably under the shelter of our flag from one neutral port to another, do earnestly call upon, the Government to assert the dignity of the British flag by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

On hearing this resolution read, the meeting expressed in the most unmistakable manner the feeling by which it was pervaded in favor of the views included in it. When silence had been in some measure restored, the chairman remarked that, when the news of the outrage reached this town, the feeling created was one of surprise, mingled with indignation. He remarked that we had all heard of the sacred dignity of the American flag. That dignity, he proceeded to say, was a means by which the persons engaged in the nefarious slave trade could at once protect themselves by hoisting the American flag, which fully enabled them to resist any attempt to search such vessel. He trusted it would not be allowed that men prosecuting so nefarious a trade should be protected, and that men peacefully proceeding on their own affairs, under the protection of our flag, might be forcibly taken out of our ships. (Cheers.) On the contrary, he believed that the people of this country would not by any means permit such an outrage. (Cheers.) He said, in having agreed to take the chair on this occasion, he did so without reluctance or regret, as he felt deeply that he only expressed the feeling, not merely of the meeting, but of the community in general, when he said it was the duty of the people to press on the Government the imperative necessity of vindicating the honor and dignity of the British name and flag. (Loud and continued cheering.)

Mr. H. C. Chapman, as a mere matter of form, moved that the resolution be adopted.

Mr. A. Forwood said he felt much pleasure in seconding the adoption of a resolution which must find an echo in every English besom.

Mr. John Campbell, while fully concurring in the propriety of preventing any outrage from being offered to the British flag—a sentiment which was universally acknowledged throughout the kingdom—said he felt assured that there was no Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman who would not at once, and promptly, resent any insult offered to our flag. (Cheers.) While feeling this in the strongest manner and to the fullest extent, he considered that there still remained some reason to doubt whether the facts related, and acted on by calling this meeting, were in reality a breach of international law. (Cries of “No, no!”) He referred at some length to the opinions of the law officers of the Crown, as being in some measure inclined to show that such a step as that taken with respect to the Southern Commissioners was justifiable under the existing state of international law. In conclusion, he proposed a direct negative to the resolution. As, however, he was not desirous of doing any thing which would create a spirit of dissension, he was willing to adopt any middle course which could be suggested, and urged the propriety of postponing the consideration of the subject till the next day.

The chairman suggested that, to meet the objection thrown out by Mr. Campbell, it would be sufficient to strike out of the resolution the words, “by requiring prompt reparation for this outrage.”

Mr. Campbell said he could not concur in the suggestion of the chairman, and must decline to do so.

Mr. Torr expressed his concurrence in the views put forward by Mr. Campbell, and in doing so met with frequent interruption. He argued that the present meeting was hastily convened, and had in its proceedings already prejudged the case, with the merits of which the meeting was unacquainted. He insisted that there was no reason to believe that the responsible ministers of the crown would allow an insult to be offered to the British flag. (Loud cheers.) He urged the advantage of proceeding calmly in considering a case such as the present, which, if prematurely urged to extremity, might result in involving this country in a war. (Great interruption.) He contended that to urge on the Government a particular line of conduct in respect to the proceedings now under consideration, was impolitic and unjust. He would not, and no Englishman would, advocate putting up with insult; but in the present case let him ask, what had the Americans done? [Mr. Chapman: They fired a shot across the bows of the mail steamer to bring her to, and as she did not stop for that, they fired a shell at her, which burst close by her. (Tremendous cheering.)]

Mr. Torr proceeded to say that there was every reason to avoid coming to a hasty resolution, and, in thanking the meeting for the patience with which they had heard him—(loud and ironical cheers)—he again urged on these present to consider the matter calmly and dispassionately, and not to be carried away by the impulse of feeling in a case which required mature judgment and calm deliberation. A letter had been shown to him by a Southern gentleman, in which it was stated as a positive fact that the law officers of the Crown had, in anticipation, expressed a decided opinion in favor of the legality of a proceeding similar to that which had just taken place in regard to the Trent by the San Jacinto.

Mr. J. Turner next attempted to address the meeting to the same effect as had been done by Mr. Torr and Mr. Campbell, but the feeling of these present was so decidedly opposed to that view that he was forced to desist.

The resolution, as proposed to be amended by the chairman, was then put to the meeting, and carried by a tremendous majority, and amid the most deafening and enthusiastic cheers. For the negative, only a few hands were held up.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which was at four o’clock, a number of the merchants on ‘Change expressed privately their conviction that the meeting and its proceedings had been premature.—London Times, Nov. 28.

—A reconnoitring party of the Lincoln Cavalry, under command of Captain Boyd, advanced to within a thousand yards of Fairfax Court House, Va., where they had a sharp skirmish with a portion of the rebel scouts, cavalry, and infantry. No one was killed on the National side, but one of the enemy was brought down from his saddle. Captain Boyd says that a small force of infantry, supported by a battery and a company of cavalry, could easily take and hold Fairfax Court House at the present time.—(Doc. 196.)

—This day the plantation of John Raven Mathews, situated on Bear Island, near the mouth of Ashepoo River, S. C., was visited by the Lincolnites. On their approach, the proprietor, with noble patriotism, set fire to his entire crop, and was about placing the match to his residence when a detachment of “Confederate” cavalry arrived, and he spared the house for the troops to quarter in. Mr. Mathews is a most extensive rice and cotton planter, and has made a splendid crop this year. Mr. Edward Baynard, of Edisto Island, likewise burned his whole crop of cotton, as well as his residence, and the other buildings upon his plantation. Such noble sacrifices to the cause of the South deserve the highest praise.—Charleston Mercury, November 29.

—The full organization of the Western Virginia Convention, in session at Wheeling, was effected, and the work of forming a State Constitution was assigned to a committee. There appears to be no opposition to the idea of forming a new State. A gradual emancipation act will be passed by the convention.

—Henry R. Jackson was appointed a major-general, and Wm. H. T. Walker a brigadier-general in the Georgia army.—Richmond Dispatch, November 28.

—The Seventy-seventh regiment N. Y. S. V., the Bemis Heights battalion, left Saratoga for the seat of war.—N. Y. Herald, November 30.

—General McClellan issued orders from the head-quarters of the army of the Potomac, at Washington, D. C., directing the Sunday morning services to be commenced at eleven o’clock, and all officers and soldiers off duty, to attend divine service. The orders give the freedom of camps, quarters, and hospitals to chaplains, who are also released from attending reviews or inspections.—(Doc. 197.)

—The U. S. Government authorities assumed command of the entire commerce of the Mississippi River below St. Louis, Mo. None but Government boats will hereafter be employed, but freight and passengers will be conveyed at current rates as heretofore. All boats entering these waters will report at the first military post, and stop, to proceed under military orders at the discretion of the military commander. Freight and baggage will be subjected to careful inspection. The oath will be administered to all the employees and passengers, and the plans of landing and departure will conform as near as possible to the custom of trade, but all commission and storage business must be transacted with openly avowed Union men. The purpose of this measure is to check communication with the enemy and prevent the conveyance of contraband goods.—(Doc. 198.)

—To-day six scouts of Capt. Gregory’s company, sent out from Lieut.-Col. Anthony’s command, on the Old Lexington roads, Mo., were fired upon by about fifty rebels at the crossing of the Little Blue, from the rocks and bushes. One of the scouts was wounded; two missing. The three returning met some fifteen rebels on Little Blue bridge, with shot guns. The scouts then turned, took another road, and arrived safely in camp. Lieut. Hedgeman sent out twenty men, and found the rebels near the same place, drove them into the brush, and captured twenty horses and mules.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Gen. De Saussure’s plan of defence for Charleston, S. C., in case of attack by the Northern troops, found among other papers in Fort Walker, at Port Royal, is this day published.— (Doc. 200.)

—An interesting correspondence passed between the Presbyterian Synod of New York and New Jersey, and Secretary Seward. The Synod, at a late session, in view of the critical condition of the country, passed a series of resolutions, pledging the influence of its members in behalf of the Government. They also took occasion, while disclaiming any intention of offering suggestions in regard to slavery, to express their full belief that it lies at the foundation of all the present difficulty, and to deprecate its existence.—(Doc. 199.)

—On the 25th inst. a reconnoissance from Port Royal, S. C., was made by Commander Drayton, of the U. S. steamer Pawnee, who ascended the Coosaw River, S. C., finding two deserted forts, of which he took possession. Yesterday morning he returned, and to-day ascended the Ashepoo River, took possession of an abandoned redoubt, and continued up the river as far as Hutchinson Island. The expedition then returned and examined Hunting Island, on the coast, but found no marks of fortifications.—(Doc. 201.)