The American Civil War

January 31.—Warsaw, N. C, was destroyed by fire.—Governor R. H. Gamble died at St Louis, Missouri.

January 30.—This morning a reconnoitring force that had been sent out from Colonel Campbell’s command, returned to headquarters of his department of West-Virginia, after having gone to Romney. There they divided into three columns, one going out on the Winchester road thirty miles, the other down the Grassy Lick road to the vicinity of Wardensville, and the third on the old Moorfield road. None of these columns met with serious opposition on their advance. The information which they gained proved to be of high importance.—A Party of Southern sympathizers were banished from Knoxville, Tenn.

—Major-General Rosecrans, at his headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., issued the following address: “In relieving General Schofield, who, in assuming the arduous duties connected with this command, relinquished high prospects of a brilliant career as commander of Thomas’s old division in the then opening campaign of the army of the Cumberland, I tender him my compliments for the admirable order in which I have found the official business and archives of this department, and my best wishes, as well as hopes, that in this new field of duty he may reap that success which his solid merits, good sense, and honest devotion to his duty and his country so well deserve.

“While commanding here, I sincerely trust I shall receive the honest, firm, and united support of all true National and Union men of this department, without regard to politics, creed, or party, in my endeavors to maintain law and reestablish peace and secure prosperity throughout its limits. The past should be remembered only for the lessons it teaches, while our energies should be directed to the problem of assuring our future, based firmly on the grandeur of our position, and on the true principle of humanity and progress to universal freedom, secured by just laws.”

January 29.—Last night a train of about eighty wagons was sent out from New-Creek, heavily laden with commissary stores for the garrison at Petersburgh, West-Virginia, and accompanying the train was an escort of about eight hundred men, being detachments from the Twenty-third Illinois, (Irish brigade,) Fourth Virginia cavalry, Second Maryland, First and Fourteenth Virginia infantry, and one hundred of the Ringgold Cavalry battalion, the whole under command of Colonel J. W. Snyder.

Nothing unusual occurred until the train got about three miles south of Williamsport to-day, when it was suddenly set upon at different points by open and concealed forces of the rebels. Although somewhat surprised by the suddenness of the attack, the guard at once formed and deployed for action. Then it was that a hard fight ensued, commencing at three o’clock in the afternoon and lasting for over four hours, at the expiration of which time it was found that the Nationals had lost about eighty in killed and wounded. The enemy’s loss was about one hundred.

In the early part of the fight the rebels opened fire from four pieces of artillery. The superiority of their strength—there being in all about two thousand men—also gave them the advantage in outflanking movements, and they exercised their ingenuity simultaneously to operate on the front, rear, and flanks of Colonel Snyder’s command. They, however, completely failed of their object, which seemed to be to try to surround, and, if possible, capture the whole party. Several times the rebel lines were broken, and several times the rebel charges were repulsed. At last, as night closed, the superior numbers of rebels gained them a success.

—Colonel Jordan, commanding the sub-district of Beaufort, made a dash into Jones and Onslow counties, N. C, for the purpose of surprising and capturing detachments of cavalry near Swansboro and Jacksonville. He returned to Morehead City this day, having been entirely successful, the expedition being a complete surprise to the rebels. He captured about thirty prisoners, (cavalry,) including one lieutenant, a large number of horses, arms, and equipments, and destroyed a large quantity of ammunition and other property. His command consisted of detachments of the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New-York, Ninth Vermont, Twelfth and Mix’s cavalry—in all, about three hundred men. They marched one hundred miles in about fifty hours, meeting with no loss whatever.

—The Twenty-first Missouri regiment, in command of Major Moore, left Memphis yesterday, on board the steamer Sir William Wallace, and today, while passing the foot of Islands Nos. 70 and 71, the boat was fired upon from the Mississippi shore by a large party of guerrillas, who were lying in ambush at a place where boats had to run close to shore. There were from fifty to one hundred shots fired in the space of about ten minutes, resulting in killing one man and wounding six others.

—Last night Colonel Thoburn, in command of the National garrison at Petersburgh, West-Virginia, evacuated that post in consequence of receiving information that the enemy in large force would attack him in the morning. The enemy did attack Petersburgh this morning with artillery. They made regular approaches, and finally charged, but found no opposing force. Colonel Thoburn was within hearing with his retreating column.

—A party of seven men belonging to the steamer Southwester were sent ashore at Bolivar Landing, Tenn., on a foraging expedition, taking with them nine mules and horses and wagons. They had scarcely got out of sight when they were set upon and surrounded by nine guerrillas, who leaped from the bushes with shouts to surrender. This they did. The animals were cut from the wagons, and the prisoners ordered to mount, when they were taken to the interior.

January 28.—The National forces under the command of Colonel Phillips drove the rebel General Roddy to the south side of the Tennessee River and captured all his trains, consisting of over twenty mule teams, two hundred head of cattle, six hundred head of sheep, and about one hundred head of horses and mules, and destroyed a factory and mill which had largely supplied the Southern armies.—General Dodge’s Report.

—This morning, two forage-wagons and some men of the Eighty-first Ohio, near Sam’s Mills, a distance of about nine miles from Pulaski, Tenn., were captured by a party of rebels. The wagons were going for forage with a small guard, and when they reached a brick church on the Shelbyville pike, two or three miles from the mills, they were attacked by thirty confederate cavalry, and captured. The two wagons were burned, the mules, arms, and equipments and the men were hurried off. A mounted force from Major Evans’s command was sent in pursuit, but without overtaking them. Private Mills, of company G, was wounded and left by the rebels. Five men of company G and three of company K were captured.

—The British steamer Rosetta, from Havana for Mobile, was captured at a point west of the Tortugas, by the steamer Metropolis.—Scottsville, Ky., was entered and plundered by a body of rebels under the command of Colonel Hamilton. —Brig.-Gen. J. C. Sullivan, from his headquarters at Harper’s Ferry, Va., issued the following general orders: “It appearing that the leaders of the rebellion against the Government of the United States have passed laws conscripting all males between certain ages, and have appointed agents to enforce such conscript laws; and such agents having made their appearance in the counties of Berkeley, Jefferson, Clarke, and Loudon, counties not occupied by or under the control of insurgent troops; and believing that a large portion of the citizens of these counties are anxious to remain at home, and to preserve their faith and allegiance to the Federal Government, and to receive the protection which is due them; and knowing that the poorer class of citizens of these counties have been hostile to the usurpation of the rebel authorities, and have been compelled by them to shoulder the musket, while the rich man’s sons have worn the sword, notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of said counties: That, upon representation being made to these headquarters by any person of the conscripting and forcing into the rebel ranks of father, husband, brothers, or sons, the nearest and most prominent secessionist will be arrested and imprisoned and held until the return of such conscript.”

January 27.—A party of rebel guerrillas made an attack on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at Cameron, and after firing upon a train, fled. They were pursued by a squad of cavalry under the command of Lieutenant Jackson, and one of their number captured.—The National cavalry under General Sturgis achieved a victory over the enemy’s cavalry near Fair Gardens, about ten miles cast of Sevierville, Tenn. General McCook’s division drove the enemy back about two miles, after a stubborn fight, lasting from daylight to four P.M., at which time the division charged with the sabre and a yell, and routed the enemy from the field, capturing two steel rifled guns and over one hundred prisoners. The enemy’s loss was considerable, sixty-five of them being killed or wounded in the charge. Generals Garrard and Wolford’s divisions came up, after a forced march, in time to be pushed in pursuit, although their horses were jaded.—Gen. Rawlins’s Report.

—General Palmer, with General Davis’s division, moved toward Tunnel Hill, Georgia, on a reconnoissance. The Twenty-eighth Kentucky and the Fourth Michigan drove in the rebel advance pickets and captured a company of rebel cavalry. The rebels retreated from Tunnel Hill during the night. They lost thirty-two killed and wounded. The Union casualties were two wounded. The object of the reconnoissance was effected.

—The following report was sent by General Thomas, from his headquarters at Chattanooga, to the National war department: “Colonel Boone, with a force of four hundred and fifty men, Twenty-eighth Kentucky mounted infantry, and Fourth Michigan cavalry, left Rossville January twenty-first, moved through McLamore’s caves, crossed Lookout Mountain into Brownton Valley; thence across Taylor’s Ridge to eight miles beyond Deertown, toward Ashton, attacked camp of home guards, Colonel Culbertson, commanding, routed them, destroying camp, considerable number of arms, and other property, and retired to camp without any casualties in his force. Friday, twenty-second January, sent flag of truce under Colonel Burke, with Ohio infantry, with rebel surgeons and a proposition to exchange our wounded at Atlanta for rebel wounded here.

“A despatch from Colonel H. B. Miller, Seventy second Indiana, commanding division, Bluewater, twenty-sixth, via Pulaski, twenty-seventh, says Johnston’s brigade of Roddy’s command crossed Tennessee River at Bainbridge, three miles, and Newport ferry, six miles below Florence, intending to make a junction with a brigade of infantry who were expected to cross the river at Laub’s and Brown’s ferry, thence proceed to Athens and capture our forces; then we engaged them near Florence; routed them, killing fifteen, wounding quite a number, and taking them prisoners, among them three commissioned officers. Our loss, ten wounded.”

—Lieutenant A. L. Cady, of the Twenty-fourth New-York battery, proceeded with his command to Tyrrel County, North-Carolina, and captured five men who had been engaged in a number of robberies and murders; also, two rebel officers, and returned to headquarters with one thousand sheep.

—A party of rebel cavalry made a dash on the lines of Colonel Chapin’s brigade, on guard-duty five miles above Knoxville, Tenn., on the Scott’s Mill road. Their pickets being captured, the camps of the Thirteenth Kentucky and Twenty-third Michigan were completely surprised, and five men of the former and seven of the latter were taken prisoners, one being mortally wounded. Immediately on being advised of the attack on these two regiments, Colonel Chapin sent the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio and One Hundred and Seventh Illinois to their relief, and the rebels were put to flight, leaving in their track a number of blankets and small-arms.

—Brigadier-General Carter, Provost-Marshal General at Knoxville, Tenn., sent the following letter to Rev. W. A. Harrison: “On account of your persistent disloyalty to the Government of the United States, it has been decided to send you and your family South, within the rebel lines.

You are hereby notified to be at the railroad depot in time for the morning train, on Saturday next, with all your family, prepared to leave permanently. As baggage, you will be permitted to take your wearing apparel and the necessary blankets. You can also take three or four days’ provisions with you.”—The steamer Freestone, while at Carson’s Landing, on the Mississippi, fifteen miles above the White River, was attacked by guerrillas, who were driven off without inflicting any serious damage on the boat.

—In the rebel Congress, Mr. Miles, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported back the following joint resolutions of thanks to General Beauregard and the officers and men of his command, which were unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That the thanks of Congress are eminently due, and are hereby cordially tendered, to General G. T. Beauregard and the officers and men of his command, for their gallantry and successful defence of the city of Charleston, S. C.—a defence which, for the skill, heroism, and tenacity displayed by the defenders during an attack scarcely paralleled in warfare, whether we consider the persistent efforts of the enemy, or his boundless resources in the most improved and formidable artillery and the most powerful engines of war hitherto known, is justly entitled to be pronounced “glorious” by impartial history and an admiring country.

Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate the foregoing resolutions to General Beauregard and the officers and men of his command.

January 26.—General Palmer sent an expedition to capture a force of rebel cavalry in Jones and Onslow counties, North-Carolina. They succeeded in routing the enemy, and captured twenty-three men with their horses and equipments. They also destroyed from one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand pounds of pork, seventy bushels of salt, ten thousand barrels of tobacco, thirty-two barrels of beef, and captured a number of mules, horses, and other material.—Gen. Butler’s Despatch.

—Fourteen men belonging to the Eightieth Indiana regiment, were captured, and two wounded, by a squad of rebel cavalry, within seven miles of Knoxville, Tenn., on the Tazewell road. The men were on a foraging expedition, and were picked up before they had any chance of offering much resistance.

January 25.—A body of rebels six hundred strong, attacked the National garrison of about one hundred, at Athens, Alabama, but were repulsed and routed after a fight of two hours. The Union loss was twenty; rebel loss more severe.—Gen. Rawlins’s Despatch,

—Brigadier-General Graham, by direction of Major-General Butler, went with three armed transports and a competent force, to the Peninsula, made a landing on the James River, seven miles below Fort Powhatan — known as the Brandon Farms, and captured twenty-two of the enemy, seven of the signal corps, and brought away ninety-nine negroes.

They also destroyed twenty-four thousand pounds of pork and large quantities of oats and corn, and captured a sloop and schooner, and two hundred and forty boxes of tobacco, and five Jews preparing to run the blockade, and returned without the loss of a man.—Gen. Butler’s Despatch.—(Doc. 57.)

—Corinth, Miss., was evacuated by the National forces, and every thing of value in that section was transported to Memphis, Tenn.—The bombardment of Charleston, South-Carolina, continued. The Courier, published in that city, said: “This is the one hundred and ninety-fourth day of the siege. The damage being done is extraordinarily small in comparison with the number of shots and weight of metal fired, and that creates general astonishment The whizzing of shells overhead has become a matter of so little interest as to excite scarcely any attention from passers-by. We have heard of no casualties. Some of the shells have exploded, and pieces of the contents been picked up, which, on examination, have been found to be a number of small square slugs, held together by a composition of sulphur, and designed to scatter at the time of explosion.”

—The following special order was issued by General Butler, at Fortress Monroe: “That Mrs. Jennie Graves, of Norfolk, having a husband in the rebel States, and having taken the oath of allegiance on the second instant, as she says, to save her property; and also having declared her sympathies are with the South still, and that she hopes they will be successful, be sent through the lines and landed at City Point, so that she may be where her hopes and sympathies are.” —Major Burroughs, the guerrilla chief, was shot by the guard at Fortress Monroe, Va., while attempting to escape from the pest-house where he was under treatment for the small-pox.— Hospital buildings at Camp Winder, near Richmond, Va., were destroyed by fire.

January 24.—A cavalry detachment from Fort Smith made successful scout into Polk County, Arkansas. They passed through Caddo Gap and found the notorious Captain Williamson, with forty men, posted within log houses. The advance, under Lieutenant Williams, charged into the village and attacked the rebels, killing Williamson and five of his men, wounding two, and taking two lieutenants and twenty-five men prisoners.

The Union loss was one killed; Lieutenant Williams and a private were slightly wounded. All the arms in the place were destroyed. The distance travelled was one hundred and seventy-two miles.

January 23.—The Nashville Union of this date contained the following: “Indications that the next battle will occur in the vicinity of Knoxville accumulate. We yesterday conversed with several well-informed parties—two of them East-Tennessee refugees—and all the witnesses concur in the statement that every train from North-Virginia comes loaded with troops from Lee’s army; and that these legions are immediately added to the force now under Longstreet. It is even believed by many that Lee himself, feeling the absolute necessity for the reoccupation of East-Tennessee, will leave his old command—or what will remain of it—and take charge of the campaign in the region of Knoxville. He and Jeff. Davis argue this way: If Tennessee is not repossessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if in reinforcing Longstreet’s army the capital is lost, it must be regained, provided the assault on Grant is successful; and there is a chance that Meade, like some of his predecessors, may remain inactive, with but a small force confronting him, and in that event Knoxville maybe retaken and Richmond saved.

“We only hope the rebels will make an early attack on Foster’s command. Nothing would be more gratifying to those who understand the disposition and strength of our forces. Offensive operations on the part of Longstreet would insure the defeat and dispersion of his army, though all Lee’s forces were with him. Upon this subject we speak from a thorough knowledge of the situation; and dared we publish the facts, the public would feel as much assured on that point as we do.

“General Grant left for the front night before last, and will be ready to personally superintend operations when commenced.”

—A small detachment of National cavalry belonging to the forces in pursuit of General Longstreet, made a dash into Cocke County, Tenn., capturing twenty-seven wagons loaded with bacon and flour, and eighty-five prisoners. They reported that Longstreet was stripping the country of provisions and compelling Union families to leave.—A very exciting debate occurred in the rebel Congress upon the act to increase the efficiency of the rebel army, by the employment of free negroes and slaves in certain capacities.

—Restrictions upon trade with Missouri and Kentucky, with some exceptions, were annulled and abrogated by the Secretary of the Treasury.

—General Wirt Adams, in command of a party of rebel cavalry, entered Gelsertown, near Natchez, Miss., and captured thirty-five prisoners, sixty wagons and teams, a lot of cotton going to Natchez, and about eighty negroes.— Richmond Enquirer.