The American Civil War

November 5.—Parker H. French, alias Lieut. Carlisle Murray, alias Charles Maxy, who had been travelling in various parts of the West and North, for the purpose chiefly of organizing the order known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, was arrested in Branford, Connecticut, by the superintendent of the Government detective police from Washington and detective Franklin, of Philadelphia. He had been in Branford and vicinity for some weeks, under the alias of Maxy, had organized a lodge of “Knights,” and had succeeded in estranging many from loyalty to the Government. The Boston Post says: “In his possession were found the Constitution and By-Laws of the Golden Circle, and entire authority from parties at the South for organizing the institution. He also had many other documents of interest and importance. Among them were letters purporting to be from Jeff. Davis, Emerson Etheridge, Parson Brownlow, and others, most of which are doubtless forgeries. He is believed to have had much genuine correspondence with influential secessionists. French was one of Walker’s right-hand men in the Nicaraguan affair. Through a forged letter in the name of Parson Brownlow, he obtained the sum of one thousand dollars from Amos Lawrence, of this city, the money being given in support of the Parson’s somewhat famous paper. He has figured in various schemes of villany, particularly in California.” French was sent to Fort Warren.—National Intelligencer, November 9.

—Brig.-Gen. W. Nelson, in command of the Union forces, occupied Prestonburg, Ky., and proclaimed the jurisdiction of the State and protection to the civil authorities.—(Doc. 131.)

November 4.—The Richmond Enquirer of to-day, has the following:—Our summary of news from the North is of more interest to-day than usual. The sailing orders of the great naval expedition will attract especial attention. Speculation will now soon be at an end; and perhaps before these lines shall be printed the telegraph will tell us where the blow has fallen. After reading these orders, however, we cannot join in the opinion which to some extent prevails, that the contemplated landing is intended on any comparatively secluded and undefended spot. If this great force is to take possession of some sand bar, or marshy island, or sea-coast village, why such strict injunction that the expedition should sail in a body and the soldiers land in such heavy array, and with the admonition that their courage will probably be tested? If we judge these orders by the ordinary rules, and in connection with the Northern beasts that a terrible blow is to be struck, and at our very vitals, we cannot but conclude that it is expected to debark either in the vicinity of a strong Confederate army or of a large Confederate city. Applying these tests, Pensacola and Charleston, and Savannah and New Orleans are the points which present themselves to our mind. There is something so absurd in the injunction to keep the expedition close together, and to land in a long line of boats, and with elaborate preparations, for the capturing Sand Point or Mosquito Bar, or Alligator Inlet, that it is difficult to conceive that the Northern Generals would thus make themselves ridiculous.

If the expedition attempt to land at an important point, we hope that our force would be sufficient for their repulse. If among the pines and swamps, they will have committed, a great folly, and injured themselves, not us. We are not, however, without other hopes. The winds have been howling, and the clouds have been pooling out their floods. We confess it—the blast of the storm has sounded in our ears like sweetest music. It has made us think of the Spanish armada, that sailed in great pomp, on grand design, but was dispersed by the winds, and vanquished without meeting an enemy. Who knows but that stormy Hatteras was created for such a time as this? Who can tell but that the rocks and sands of the Florida coast shall prove the instruments of Providence to punish the wickedness of man? The grand fleet sailed on Tuesday, the 29th. On Friday afternoon the storm commenced. Three days had thus elapsed. Where the fleet had got to— whether the storm there raged, and whether it claimed its prey—we have yet to learn. But, whether by the winds of Heaven, or by the blessing of Heaven on Southern valor, we trust soon to be able to announce that the fleet which sailed from Hampton Roads is a fleet that shall never more return, unless, indeed, under another flag.

—Tins Sixtieth regiment of New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William B. Hayward, passed through New York for Washington. This regiment was recruited in St. Lawrence County, is one thousand strong, and is composed of hardy farmers. Before leaving New York, they were presented with a regimental flag by Mrs. A. T. Stewart.—New York Herald, November 6th.

—Adjutant Carpenter, of the Second Tennessee regiment, absent from his camp near Boston, Whitely County, Ky., learned when on his way to return that a band of rebels had secured the mountain pass, and that he must either abandon his horse, and go on foot through the by-paths, or fight. Returning to Boston, he gathered together twenty-two Home Guards, fourteen of whom remained steadfast to their purpose; and creeping up the mountain gorge at midnight, they shot the sentinel, alarmed the rebels, who tumbled out of the house and sprang to their saddles, eight of which were emptied in a moment, and with three of their horses the Adjutant galloped off, bringing them safe into camp.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Barboursville, Kentucky, was taken possession of by a picket of the Federal army, amounting to fifteen hundred men. They entered the town in the evening, and hoisted the Stars and Stripes without opposition.—Cincinnati Times, November 12.

—The expedition, under Col. Dodge, which left Rolla, Missouri, in quest of ex-Judge Freeman’s band of marauding rebels, took possession of Houston, Texas County, and captured a large amount of rebel property and several prominent secessionists, including some officers of the rebel army. A large mail for the rebel army was also captured, containing information of the position of the entire rebel force in Missouri.— St. Louis Democrat, November 7.

—An enthusiastic mass meeting of the Union citizens of Baltimore County, Md., was held at Calverton, at which Reverdy Johnson delivered an eloquent defence of the Constitution and the laws. Like all that has proceeded from him on the subject of the present national troubles, it breathes a spirit of ardent devotion to the Union, in its hour of peril.—(Doc. 130.)