The American Civil War

April 9.—Brigadier-Gen. Doubleday, in command of the military defences of the Potomac, issued a circular to the regiments in his brigade, forbidding the commanders from delivering up negroes, unless the claimants show authority from him.—N. Y. Evening Post, April 10.

—At Poughkeepsie, New-York, this day, all the bells of the city were rung and cannon fired, amidst great rejoicing, on account of the recent victories of the National troops.—Albany Statesman, April 10.

—This evening, Col. Wright, of the Sixth Missouri cavalry, returned to Cassville, Mo., having made a successful expedition with four companies of his command, through the south-west corner of the State. All jayhawking bands in that locality were dispersed. Several skirmishes took place, which resulted in the death of several prominent rebels. One hundred and twenty-five prisoners were captured, all of whom, except the leaders and twenty-five intractable ones, were released on taking the oath of allegiance. A number of horses were captured, together with one hundred and twenty-two head of cattle, three hundred and twenty-seven bushels of wheat, and four thousand five hundred pounds of bacon. All rebel gangs not captured were driven by Col. Wright down to Standwaith, a point on the line of the Indian territory, twenty-five miles below Neosho.—Missouri Democrat, April 12.

—Throughout the loyal States, large sums of money were raised for the relief of the wounded at the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, and tenders of surgical aid were made from various portions of the States.—National Intelligencer, April 11.

—A skirmish occurred at Whitemarsh Island, near Savannah, Ga., between some companies of the Thirteenth Georgia regiment and a Michigan regiment, resulting in the repulse of the latter, with the loss of about twenty. The confederates’ loss in killed and missing was five; slightly wounded, seven.—Savannah News, April 16.

—The Conscription Bill passed the rebel Congress this day.—Richmond Despatch, April 10. —(Doc. 123.)

—Governor Andrew Johnson, at Nashville, Tennessee, issued a proclamation, declaring vacant the offices of mayor, and most of the city councilmen, who refused to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and appointed other persons to serve pro tempore, until a new election could be held by the people.—Nashville Banner, April 9.

—Jacksonville, Florida, was evacuated by the National troops this day. General Wright, the commander of the National forces, took possession of the schooners Anna C. Leverett and Magnum Bonum, belonging to private individuals, and the Government schooner James G. Still and steamers Cosmopolitan and Belvidere, and embarked fifteen hundred troops, with all their stores, two sections of Ransom’s battery, with fifty or sixty horses, thirty guns captured along the river from the rebels, and about one hundred loyal families, with such of their effects as could be readily brought away when the fleet set sail.—(Doc. 124.)

—Secretary of War Stanton issued an order that the chaplains of every regiment in the armies of the United States shall, on the first Sunday after the receipt of the order, give thanks to the Almighty for the great victories recently achieved by our armies, and invoking the continuance of his aid; and also tendering the thanks and congratulations of the department to Major-General Malleck for the signal ability and success that have distinguished all the military operations of his department, and to the army under his command for their spirit and courage, and to Generals Curtis, Sigel, Grant, Buell, and Pope, and the soldiers under their command, for their gallant and meritorious services.

The Secretary of the Navy sent a congratulatory despatch to Commodore Foote, tendering him and the officers and men under his command the thanks of the department for his recent brilliant success.

—General Prentiss and two thousand three hundred and eighty-six Union prisoners passed through Memphis, Tenn., this day. The men were in good spirits, and kindly treated by the inhabitants, particularly the Irish and German women. The citizens contented themselves with waving handkerchiefs and looking the interest which they dared not openly express. Gen. Prentiss made a Union speech to his men, and the citizens cheered him. The Provost-Marshal, L. D. McKissock, bade him remain silent Prentiss told him he had four to one more friends in Memphis than he, (McKissock,) and said to the citizens: “Keep quiet for a few weeks, and you will have an opportunity to cheer the old flag to your heart’s content.” The Union soldiers sang the Star-Spangled Banner, Red, White and Blue, Happy Land of Canaan, and Old John Brown, as they were starting on the cars for Tuscaloosa, Ala.—New-York Tribune, May 2.

April 8.—Island Number Ten, on the Mississippi River, with the neighboring rebel works on the Tennessee shore, having surrendered yesterday, was taken possession of by the United States gunboats and troops under the command of Gen. Buford. Seventeen rebel officers and five hundred soldiers, including the sick and those on board transports, were taken prisoners. Seven rebel steamers, including the gunboat Grampus, were captured or sunk, and large quantities of military stores and ammunition were taken.— (Doc. 120.)

—General Halleck at St Louis, Mo., telegraphed to Secretary Stanton as follows: “Brigadier-Gen. W. M. Makall, late of the United States Adjutant-General’s Department, and two thousand of the rebel forces, have surrendered to Gen. Pope, and it is expected that many more will be captured to-day. Immense quantities of artillery and supplies have fallen into our hands.

“Later.—Gen. Pope has captured three generals, six thousand prisoners of war, one hundred siege pieces, and several field batteries, with immense quantities of small arms, tents, wagons, horses and provisions. Our victory is complete and overwhelming. We have not lost a single man.”

—The guerrillas in Western Virginia are still troublesome. Two secessionists belonging on the Valley River, in the upper end of Marion County, were shot this day by a detachment of Capt. Showalter’s company. Their names were Sack Barker and Levi Ashcraft. A band of guerrillas (supposed to belong to the same gang from which Riblet and Conway were captured) had taken prisoners a couple of young men, soldiers in Capt. Showalter’s company, and their comrades in rescuing them captured the two guerrillas above named, and killed them on their attempting to escape. This took place near Texas, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.— N. Y. Tribune, April 15.

—Jefferson Davis proclaimed martial law over the department of East-Tennessee, under the command of Major-Gen. E. K. Smith, and the suspension of all civil jurisdiction, except in certain courts, and also the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. The distillation and sale of spirituous liquors was also prohibited. —(Doc. 141.)

—At Providence, Rhode Island, by order of Lieut. Gov. Arnold, a national salute was fired on the great bridge this afternoon, in honor of the National success at Island No. Tea—N. Y. Times, April 9.

—Gen. Milroy occupied Monterey, Va., this afternoon. The rear-guard of the enemy is at McDowell, and their mounted scouts were driven in on Wednesday, by a scouting party of Gen. Milroy’s command. Both Monterey and McDowell are in Highland County, Va.—(Doc. 121.)

April 7.—Yesterday and to-day the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., (by the confederates called the battle of Shiloh,) was fought, by the National forces under Major-General Grant, and the rebels under Beauregard. Early yesterday morning four hundred men of Gen. Prentiss’s division were attacked by the rebels, half a mile in advance of the National lines, when the men fell back on a Missouri regiment, closely pursued by the rebels. Further resistance was made, but without success, and all finally retreated to the lines of the Second division. At six o’clock the fire had become general along the whole line. Gen. Sherman’s division were compelled to fall back, and seek support of the troops immediately in their rear. At one o’clock both sides were fully engaged, and the most terrible fighting ensued, resulting in the National troops being slowly driven in the direction of the river. The National gunboat Tyler then came up, and aided greatly in forcing the rebels back. At five o’clock there was a short cessation in the fire of the enemy, their lines falling back for nearly half a mile, when they suddenly wheeled, and threw their whole force upon the left wing of the Union troops. The battle then raged fiercely, and the rebels would probably have succeeded in their object of cutting the Union army in two, had not General Wallace, who had taken a circuitous route from Crump’s Landing, appeared suddenly on their right wing. This move compelled the rebels to desist from their operations on the left, and they soon withdrew from the attack, and oncamped for the night. The advance regiments of Gen. Buell now appeared on the opposite side of the river, and all night long were crossing to the relief of Gen. Grant’s army. The battle was renewed this morning, at seven o’clock. The rebels commenced the attack from the Corinth road, and soon the engagement became general along the entire line. They endeavored, by massing troops at different positions, and hurling them on the weakest points, to break through, and cut off the different divisions from communication and support. But everywhere they were met by new and unwearied troops, in numbers too large to contend against. Both wings of the Union army were turned upon the enemy, and the whole line advanced to the charge, while shot and shell from the batteries rained death at every point. The rebels then fell slowly bank, keeping up a fire from their artillery and musketry along their whole column as they retreated. They were pursued by Gen. Sherman’s forces.—(Doc. 114.)

—The bridge over Stony Creek, Va., was completed yesterday, and to-day, while the National troops were crossing, the rebel battery of Ashby opened on them, but was soon silenced, and its position occupied by the Nationals.—N. Y. World, April 8.

—A large meeting of the Union men of Montgomery county, Md., was held in Rockville this day, at which resolutions, deprecating the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and calling upon the President of the United States to “interpose his veto and protect the rights of property,” in the event of the passage of “the Act” by both houses of Congress, were unanimously adopted.—National Intelligencer, April 12.

—In the rebel House of Representatives, at Richmond, Va., the action of yesterday at Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., was announced, and the following resolutions introduced:

Resolved, That Congress have learned, with feelings of deep joy and gratitude to the Divine Ruler of nations, the news of the recent glorious victory of our arms in Tennessee.

Resolved, That the death of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander of our forces, while leading his troopsto victory, cannot but temper our exultation with a shade of sadness at the loss of so able, skilful, and gallant an officer.

Resolved, That, in respect to the memory of Gen. Johnston—the Senate concurring—Congress do now adjourn until twelve o’clock to-morrow. —Richmond Whig, April 8.

—A skirmish took place at Lawrenceburgh, Tenn., between two companies of Federal and rebel cavalry, the latter being put to flight with a loss of four men wounded. Four horses were captured, and carried into the Union lines late in the evening. One of the horses belonged to a Lieut. Polk, of Columbia, Tenn., the left side of the saddle being covered with blood.—Brig.-Gen. Lucius J. Polk, C. S. A., gave himself up to Gen. Negley, in command at Columbia, Tenn. He was released on parole.

—At Edenburg, Va., to-day, the rebels opened fire upon the National pickets, but were soon dispersed by a rapid cannonade from Capt Huntington’s battery.—N. Y. Times, April 8.

—The gunboat Pittsburgh ran the blockade of Island Number Ten, last night, under a terrific fire from the rebel batteries. Four steam transports and five barges were also got through the Slough, from Phillips’s Landing, above the Island, to New-Madrid, by Col. Bissell’s corps of engineers.

This morning, under the fire of the Union gunboats, which silenced one of the rebel batteries, a company, under Capts. Lewis and Marshall, crossed the Mississippi at New-Madrid and spiked the guns. Another force took three other batteries, spiked the guns, and threw the ammunition into the river.

At eleven o’clock, in the face of the fire of the remaining rebel batteries, Gen. Paine, with four regiments and a battery of artillery, crossed the Mississippi Subsequently the divisions of Gens. Hamilton and Stanley crossed; also Gen. Granger with his cavalry. They are now strongly posted, ready for any emergency.—(Doc. 116.)

April 6.—Colonel Duffield, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., captured a mail direct from Corinth, Miss., with upward of one hundred and fifty letters, many containing valuable information regarding the strength and position of the rebels. From these letters Gen. Dumont learned that a number of spies were at Nashville and Edgefield, Tenn., and had them arrested.—National Intelligencer, April 10.

—The National gunboat Carondelet under the command of Capt Walke, having on board Gen. Granger, Col. Smith, of the Forty-third regiment of Ohio Volunteers, and Capt Lewis H. Marshall, Aid to Gen. Pope, made a reconnoissance to Tiptonville, Mo., the object being to draw the fire from the masked batteries of the rebels along the Mississippi River. On her way up the river the Carondelet attacked a battery, and Capt Marshall, accompanied by a party of soldiers of the Twenty-seventh Illinois regiment, landed, spiked the guns, destroyed the carriages, and threw the ammunition into the river.—N. Y. Commercial, April 9.

—Yesterday an expedition from General Mitchel’s command, consisting of two companies of the Fourth Ohio cavalry, and a piece of artillery from Loomis’s battery, in charge of Lieut. C. H. O’Riordan, the whole in command of Colonel Kennett, left Shelbyville, Tenn., marched to Decherd, and proceeding this morning to the University grounds, near where the main road sends off a branch toward some coal-mines, among the mountains, captured there a locomotive and a train of freight-cars. Thirty rebel soldiers were on the train at the time, waiting for the locomotive to get up steam. As soon as these fellows saw the Union troops, they took to their heels, scattering in all directions. A wild chase ensued, resulting in the overhauling and capture of fifteen of the fugitives.

Ascertaining that a largely superior force of the enemy was stationed at the tunnel, nine miles below Decherd, the expedition returned to camp. — Cincinnati Gazette.

—This day a party of rebel cavalry made a dash at the pickets of Gen. Wallace’s division, in the neighborhood of Adamsville, Tenn. Lieut. Murray, of the Fifth Ohio cavalry, made a suitable disposition of the forces at his command, but the enemy outnumbered him three to one, and his pickets were compelled to fall back. Three of his men fell into the enemy’s hands—Sergeant E. F. Cook, privates Wm. Ledwell and John Pilley, all of Co. I, Fifth Ohio cavalry. With regard to the fate of these men, the official report says: “When Sergt Cook was last seen, he was riding among the rebels, fighting them hand to hand. It is not known if he was wounded before being taken prisoner. Ledwell is supposed to be badly wounded or killed, as his saddle was covered with blood. Pilley is a prisoner, and supposed to be unharmed.”

—Snip Point, Va., was captured by the forces of Gen. McClellan.

April 5.—The United States gunboat Carondelet, Capt. Walke, arrived at New-Madrid, Mo., this morning at one o’clock, having passed the fortifications at Island Number Ten, and the batteries upon the mainland opposite, and now lies moored safely to the shore, under the guns of the upper fort at New-Madrid.

The Carondelet left the fleet last evening at ten o’clock, during a terrific thunder-storm, and having taken a barge in tow, laden with hay and coal, to serve as a protection from the enemy’s balls, extinguished her lights, put on steam, and rapidly sailed down the river. The first intimation the rebels had of the attempt to run the blockade was the fire which issued from the burning chimney of the gunboat, and immediately thereafter it was greeted with a shower of balls from the infantry stationed at the upper battery, the same which was so effectually spiked a few days since by Col. Roberts.

A signal rocket was then sent up, and in an instant the entire line of batteries were a blaze of flame. Four batteries on the Kentucky shore and on the point of the island fired in quick succession, but the Carondelet passed them all in safety, and, unmindful of the leaden and iron hail which fell around, passed down through the fiery ordeal unhurt; not a man was injured, and excepting a few musket-balls which struck the ironplated sides of the gunboat, she was untouched.

The floating-battery, located three miles below the island, bestowed a parting shower of blazing compliments as the Carondelet glided quietly by. The Hollins ram Manassas did not open fire. The National officers and men acquitted themselves with admirable courage and fidelity. — (Doc. 116.)

—The schooner A. J. Wills, of Philadelphia, was captured by a squad of Government police in Nabb’s Creek, a stream running from Stony Creek, Va. On board the vessel was found a large quantity of provisions designed for the use of the rebels who were captured yesterday in the schooner Resolution.—Baltimore American, April 8.

—The following order was issued from the War Department this day: —

Col. D’Utassy, of the Garibaldi Guard, New York Volunteers, and all the officers of General Blenker’s division who are now under arrest, are hereby released from arrest, and will join their regiments without delay, and resume their respective commands.—New-York Herald, April 6.

A Resolution passed the Wisconsin Assembly this day, tendering to the President of the United States an unqualified approval of his course, from the day of his inauguration to the present time. There was but one vote against it.—Philadelphia Press, April 15.

—That portion of the Army of the Potomac, recently concentrated at Old Point, Va., advanced yesterday, moving in the direction of Yorktown, twenty-four miles distant. The right was assigned to Gen. Morrill’s brigade, of Gen. Porter’s division, two companies of the Third Pennsylvania cavalry, and a portion of Berdan’s sharpshooters acting as skirmishers. Nothing of interest took place until their arrival at Big Bethel, twelve miles distant, where they met the outer pickets of the rebels. The troops were delayed here two hours in reconstructing a bridge which had been destroyed.

The rebels retreated before the advance of the National skirmishers to Howard’s Creek, where they had some abandoned earthworks. Four shots were fired here by the rebels from two field-pieces, which were soon silenced by the Fourth Rhode Island battery, when the rebels beat a hasty retreat, taking their pieces with them. The main body of the army here rested for the night, while Gen. Morrill’s brigade advanced three miles to Buckleville, and six miles from Yorktown, and then encamped. By seven o’clock this morning, the column was again in motion, and at ten o’clock was in front of the enemy’s works at Yorktown.

The first shot fired was by the rebels, the shells passing over the heads of Qen. Porter and staff without exploding. The batteries of Griffin, Third and Fourth Rhode Island, and Fifth Massachusetts were now placed in position, replying to every shot sent by the rebels. The cannonading continued with but slight intermission until dark. About four hundred shots were fired by both parties during the day. The Union loss was six killed and sixteen wounded.—(Doc. 119.)

April 4.—General Burnside at Newbern, N. C, issued the following order: —

Dr. J. H. Thompson, Brigade Surgeon, First division, is hereby relieved from duty with the First division, and will report without delay to the Surgeon-General at Washington, with the recommendation to the President of the United States that he be dismissed the service as an alarmist.

It is expected that all important and reliable information should be duly reported through proper channels, but the stern realities of active warfare rob the soldier of quite sufficient of his rest and sleep without the aggravations of senseless rumors and imaginary dangers, and those who create or report them will be at once expelled from this department

—Gen. Magruder, in command of the rebel lines near Lee’s Mills, Va., issued the following general orders, to be read to each command in his army: “The enemy is before us—our works are strong—our cause is good—we fight for our homes, and must be careful. Every hour we hold out, brings us reenforcements.”—Richmond Whig, April 10.

—At Cincinnati, Ohio, a public reception was given to Parson Brownlow, who was introduced to the audience by Joseph C. Butler, President of the Chamber of Commerce, in a few appropriate remarks.

Mr. Brownlow, in reply, made a speech thanking the vast audience for their warm and friendly reception, relating his experience of the operations of the rebellion in East-Tennessee, and giving an account of the sufferings of himself and of other Union men while he was imprisoned at Knoxville. Speeches were also made by General S. F. Carey and Lieutenant-Governor Fisk, of Kentucky, and resolutions were adopted demanding a vigorous and unceasing prosecution of the war, and the punishment of traitors. — Cincinnati Times, April 5.

—The War Department of the United States this day ordered:

First. That the portion of Virginia and Maryland lying between the Mountain Department and the Blue Ridge shall constitute a military department, to be called the Department of the Shenandoah, and be under the command of Major-General Banks.

Second. That the portion of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge and west of the Potomac, and the Fredericksburgh and Richmond railroad, including the District of Columbia and the country between the Potomac and the Patuxent, shall be a military district, to be called the Department of the Rappahannock, and be under the command of Major-General McDowell.

—This morning the gunboats Benton, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh, with three boats, opened and continued for more than an hour a fire on the rebel heavy floating battery at Island No. Ten, when the latter, having received several shells from the rifles and mortars, cut loose from her moorings and drifted two or three miles down the river. The shells were thrown from the flotilla into different parts of the island, and into the rebel batteries lining the Tennessee shore. The return fire produced no effect on the National squadron. No more men than were actually necessary to man the batteries were visible.—Com. Foote’s Despatch.

—At Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn., this evening, the National troops were attacked by two regiments of rebel infantry, with two pieces of artillery and a strong force of cavalry. The Nationals immediately got into line of battle, when the rebels fired one volley and commenced to retreat The Nationals returned the fire, killing several and taking ten prisoners. The Union loss was one killed.—Chicago Tribune, April 1.

—A successful expedition was this day made from Ship Island to Pass Christian,[1] Miss., by the National gunboats New-London, Jackson, and Lewis. When off Pass Christian they were attacked by the rebel steamers Oregon, Pamlico, and Carondelet, but succeeded in driving them off, seriously damaging them.—(Doc. 117.)

—The schooner Resolution, having on board a party of rebels, attempting to escape into the confederate lines, was captured in Back River, Md., this day.—Baltimore American.

—This morning a spirited cannonade took place between some of the Union batteries near Point Pleasant, Mo., and a rebel one on the opposite shore. After an hour’s firing, a shell fell inside a large warehouse near the confederate battery, and the building was soon wrapped in flames. The rebels then ceased answering from their guns, and after shelling the position awhile, the Point Pleasant batteries stopped also.—St. Louis Republican.

—Governor Curtin issued a general order congratulating the Eighty-fourth and One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania regiments for gallant conduct at Winchester, Va., and directed that Winchester be inscribed on their flags, and the order be read at the head of all Pennsylvania regiments.

—Lieut. Fitz-James O’Brien, of Gen. Lander’s staff, died at Cumberland, Md., from the effects of the wound received in the fight at Blooming Gap, Va.— Baltimore American, April 7.

—A battle between the National gunboat Kinco and the flag-ship of the rebel flotilla, a few miles above the Passes of the Mississippi River, resulting in the defeat of the rebel vessel. —(Doc. 118.)

—At New-Orleans, La., all masters of steamboats engaged in trade were inhibited from taking white men as deck-hands, and were required to discharge at once such as might be employed by them. The captains, clerks, mates, carpenters, pilots, and engineers were the only white men to be employed on such boats.—New-Orleans Delta, April 4.

[1] Pass Christian is a post-village of Harrison County, Mississippi. It is located on a pass of its own name, near the entrance to St. Louis Bay. It la situated one hundred and sixty-five miles to the south-south-east of Jackson. It is fifty miles from New Orleans, thirteen miles from Mississippi City, and twenty-five miles from Biloxi. It is thirty miles from the eastern portion of Ship Island, and eighty miles from the mouth of Pass-a-l’Outre of the Mississippi River.

April 3. —Albert Sidney Johnston, Major-General C.S.A., at Corinth, Miss., issued the following address:

“Soldiers of The Army of the Mississippi: I have put you in motion to offer battle to the invaders of your country, with the resolution and discipline and valor becoming men, fighting, as you are, for all worth living or dying for. You can but march to a decisive victory over agrarian mercenaries sent to subjugate and despoil you of your liberties, property and honor.

“Remember the precious stake involved, remember the dependence of your mothers, your wives, your sisters, and your children, on the result Remember the fair, broad, abounding lands, the happy homes, that will be desolated by your defeat. The eyes and hopes of eight million people rest upon you. You are expected to show yourselves worthy of your valor and courage, worthy of the women of the South, whose noble devotion in this war has never been exceeded in any time. With such incentives to brave deeds, and with the trust that God is with us, your general will lead you confidently to the combat, assured of success.”

Accompanying this address were general orders, dividing “the Army of the Mississippi” into three corps d’armee. Gen. Beauregard was proclaimed second in command of the whole force.

The first corps d’armee was assigned to Gen. Polk, and embraced all the troops of his former command, less detached cavalry and artillery and reserves, detached for the defence of Fort Pillow and Madrid Bend.

The second corps d’armee was assigned to Gen. Bragg, and was to consist of the Second division of the Army of the Mississippi, less artillery and cavalry hereafter detached.

The third corps d’armee was assigned to Gen. Hardee, and consisted of “the Army of Kentucky.” Gen. Crittenden was assigned a command of reserves, to consist of not less than two brigades.

— The United States Senate, by a vote of twenty-nine to fourteen, passed the bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia.

—The telegraph line was to-day discovered to be cut in a dozen places, between New-Madrid and Sykeston, Mo. Gen. Pope immediately issued a special order to the residents along the route, that he would hold them responsible for the safety of the telegraph line, and that if any damage was done to it near their houses and farms, he would have their houses burned and themselves and families arrested and brought to camp, and visited with the severest punishment

—Apalachicola, Fla., surrendered to a party of National seamen, of the gunboats Mercedita and Sagamore, under the command of Commander Stellwagen, without making any resistance. It was almost entirely deserted by the male population, its fort or sand battery dismantled, and the guns removed. Two schooners were captured in Alligator Bayou, near the town, and then the launch of the Sagamore, under charge of Lieut. Bigelow, with the second cutter, under charge of Acting Master Fales, proceeded up Apalachicola River, about seven miles, where they found several vessels lying at anchor, and captured them. One was a large schooner, partially laden with cotton, which was cut out from the wharf and towed down the river by the crew of the Sagamore’s launch. She had forty bales of cotton on board. A sloop was captured, which had recently arrived from Havana, with a load of coffee, running the blockade. She had also cleared again for Havana. Great efforts were made by Lieutenant Bigelow, Acting Master Fales and Engineer Snyder, to get four other captured schooners down the river. The officers and the crews worked long and laboriously, during many hours, to get the schooners free, but without avail. They were finally obiged to apply the torch to them, which they did so effectually as to make them a mass of flames, burning them to the water’s edge. They afterward succeeded in capturing two sloops, and then returned down the river.

Commander Stellwagen, of the Mercedita, and Lieut. Commanding A. J. Drake, of the Sagamore, administered the oath of allegiance to a few of the inhabitants, and preparations were made to take formal possession of the town.

—Early this morning the rebels at Island No. Ten, near New-Madrid, Mo., made an attempt to tow their floating battery to a position from which it could command the National mortar-fleet A rapid fire was opened upon it, and in the course of half an hour the battery was struck several times, splinters being thrown in all directions, and several beams displaced. One shell exploded directly inside the battery, when it was immediately submerged to the water’s edge, and towed out of range. The rebel steamer Winchester, which was sunk some time since to obstruct the channel north of Island No. Ten, and used by the rebels as a point from which to watch the movements of the National forces, was shelled to-day and burned to the water’s edge.—St. Louis Republican, April 5.

—This evening a meeting was held in Chicago, Ill., at the instance of the Chicago Laborers’ Association, at which it was resolved that a subscription should be opened throughout the United States for the purpose of procuring a permanent homestead for Major-General Franz SigeL, to be located in the State of Illinois, and that the balance of the fund to be raised, after purchasing the estate, should be paid over to him. A committee was appointed to collect subscriptions, and to organize sub-committees in all proper places. —Boston Transcript, April 8.

April 2.—At Washington, D. C, the Committee on Political Prisoners ordered that Mrs. Greenhow, Mrs. Rosanna Augusta Heath, and Mrs. Morris, be sent beyond the Union lines. Mrs. Greenhow made a full confession, admitting that she was engaged in forwarding letters, papers and information to the rebels. She refused to tell what source of communication she kept up, and gave no names of her spies in Washington. But other information gives the names of several; two ex-Senators and several members of Congress, one of whom still retains his seat. Mrs. Morris also made a confession, admitting her treason in aiding the rebels by forwarding information. They all refused to take the oath of allegiance, or even give a parole of honor not to aid the enemy.— Philadelphia Inquirer.

—The United States Senate passed the House resolution—ayes thirty-two, nays ten—suggested by the President, declaring that the United States ought to cooperate, by giving pecuniary aid, with any State which may adopt the gradual abolition of slavery.—The bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia was discussed, but no vote taken.

—A party of Colonel Ashby’s rebel scouts made their appearance early this morning on the high wooded ridge on the opposite side of Stony Creek, near Edenburg, Va. They were fired on by some of the Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania, when Ashby unmasked four guns and threw several shells into the Union camp. The rebels subsequently retreated.— Baltimore American, April 8.

—Cavalry pickets of Gen. Lew. Wallace’s division, at Crump’s Landing, on the Tennessee River, were driven in this evening. A sharp skirmish occurred, in which company I, Fifth Ohio cavalry, lost three men, taken prisoners, namely, Sergeant E. F. Cook and privates Wm. Tidwell and John Lilly.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Major Donaldson, Chief of the Quartermaster’s Department, in New-Mexico, arrived at Washington to-day. He brings much important information in regard to the rebel raid into that territory. He says the rebels hold every position of value, except Fort Craig and Fort Union. The latter, which is the most important Fort in the far West, containing millions of dollars’ worth of government stores, is now safe beyond peradventure. It is garrisoned by one thousand five hundred soldiers, has water within the fortification, and provisions for an almost unlimited siege. It will be the rallying-point for the ample Union forces now marching to expel the invaders.

Major Donaldson says the march of the Colorado Volunteers, a regiment of nine hundred and sixty men, organized by Gov. Gilpin, from Denver City, to the succor of Fort Union, exceeds anything on record. They traversed forty miles a day during the last four days, when they heard the Fort was in danger of falling. Their timely arrival secured its absolute safety. Major Donaldson relates many incidents of the battle near Fort Craig, and says that Major Lockridge, of Nicaragua filibuster fame, fell dead at the head of the Texas rangers in their last charge upon Captain McRea’s battery.—.N. Y. Commercial, April 3.

— Early yesterday morning, a regiment of picked men, belonging to the Excelsior Brigade, under the command of Brig.-Gen. Sickles, left Liverpool Point for Stafford Court-House, Va., on a reconnoissance. The troops landed at Shipping Point Batteries, and marched from thence past Dumfries through Aquia to Stafford Court-House. There was skirmishing between a body of six hundred rebel cavalry and the advanced corps of Gen Sickles’s command, six miles from Stafford, and firing on both sides was continued until the Nationals reached that place to-day. The rebels in their retreat set fire to the town and all the stores. The Union forces promptly stopped the conflagration as soon as they entered. A number of prisoners, horses, stores, etc., fell into their hands. After remaining three hours in Stafford, camp-fires were built on the hills to deceive the rebels, while the National forces withdrew from the place. The casualties of General Sickles’s troops were two wounded and a few missing.—N. Y. Commercial, April 5.

— A rebel force of seven regiments of infantry, two regiments of cavalry, and three batteries, were thrown across the Rapahannock River to cut off Col. Geary’s command at White Plains, Va. By a forced march they reached Salem, within five miles of the Union band, last evening, with the intent of attacking Col. Geary’s command in two columns, cutting off his retreat, and then seizing the formidable Gap, to intercept the progress of reconstructing the Manassas Gap Railroad. The attack was to be made at daybreak this morning. Their movements were made secretly, with the intention of making a dash, and cutting the Union command to pieces. Col. Geary became apprized of their presence and designs, and moved his whole command off quietly during the night, and battled with the mountain roads, wading streams and rivers of mud for five miles, and by daylight occupied Thoroughfare Gap,[1] where he prepared for a resolute and determined stand in the mountain defiles. The movement was a most important one, frustrating a design to accomplish a victory by the destruction of a much-dreaded command, to revive the drooping feelings of the rebels in Virginia. The calls were beaten in the evening, and the camp-fires left burning as usual, after the command marched.

One of the Union scouts was killed, and three of the rebels were taken prisoners.—Philadelphia Inquirer.

—The schooner Kate, of Nassau, N. P., attempted to run the blockade at Wilmington, N. C, when she was pursued. The rebels, finding they could not save their vessel, ran her aground and set fire to her. A boat’s crew from the steamer Mount Vernon extinguished the fire on board of her, before it had burned long, or done much damage. Her cargo was examined, and found to consist of four hundred and fifty sacks of salt, consigned by Addersly & Co., of Nassau, N. P., to John P. Frazer & Co., of Charleston, S. C, or Wright & Co., of St John’s, N. B. After repeated efforts to pull her off, which were all unsuccessful, as she was run well up on shore, it was determined to burn her, which was effectually accomplished—N. Y. Times, April 20.

[1] Thoroughfare Gap is a station on the Manassas Gap Railroad, fourteen miles west of Manassas, Va. It is a gap in the Bull Run Mountain.

April 1.—This morning the Union forces in command of Gen. Banks made a further advance in Virginia, proceeding from Strasburg to Woodstock. On their approach near the latter town, Col. Ashby, with a force of rebel cavalry, infantry, and battery, disputed the passage of the Union troops. They nevertheless passed on through the town, the rebels retreating and frequently stopping to throw shells, which were replied to in kind by General Banks, who pursued the enemy to Edinburgh, five miles beyond Woodstock. Ashby, in his retreat, burnt one railroad and two turnpike bridges. All the railroad-bridges between Strasburg and Woodstock had been previously destroyed. The only casualty on the Union side was one man killed.—National Intelligencer, April 3.

—The Mobile News of yesterday says: European brigades are rapidly organizing in New-Orleans, three of them being commanded by Gens. Benjamin Buisson, Paul Judge and Victor Moizman. The Picayune says: The three French Generals we have now in our midst may be called the “Three Guardsmen,” of the Crescent City. Their forces will amount to about twelve thousand men, who may be divided as follows: First brigade, three thousand men, of whom are two thousand Creoles and one thousand Frenchmen, Spaniards, Italians, Germans, etc. Second (European) brigade, four thousand five hundred, of whom two thousand five hundred are French, eight hundred Spaniards, five hundred Italians, four hundred Germans, Dutch and Scandinavians, and five hundred Swiss, Belgians, English, Sclavonians, etc. Third (French) brigade, four thousand five hundred men, all unnaturalized Frenchmen. We must say, however, about this last brigade, that it is not yet complete, but that its strength will amount to the figures we give we have not the least doubt

—Warrenton, Va., was taken by the National troops.—A party of National troops, belonging to the forces under Gen. Steele, commanded by Col. Carline, had an engagement with the rebels at Putnam’s Ferry, Ark., in which four rebels were taken prisoner, and one officer killed. A large quantity of military stores and equipments were also taken.—N. Y. Times, April 6.

— The congregation of the Second Baptist church, in Richmond, Va., have set an example that may challenge emulation, but for self-sacrificing patriotism cannot be excelled. They met not long since, and by a unanimous vote, gave their church bell to be cast into cannon to be used in the public defence. To show that this was not an empty promise made for effect, they immediately had it taken down to be put to the use indicated. At the same meeting at which the resolution above stated was passed, it was determined to subscribe a sum sufficient to purchase enough metal to add to that in the bell to form into a battery to be called the Second Baptist Church battery. Mr. John F. Tanner, an influential member of the church, and largely engaged in the foundry business, promised on behalf of himself and his associates that the battery should be ready at an early day, and without cost to those who furnished the materials. The churches in New-Orleans (a large proportion of them being Catholic) have, with the sanction of their Bishop, adopted the same course.—Richmond Dispatch, April 1.