The American Civil War

March 11.—Manassas, Va., being evacuated by the rebel troops, this day the National forces took peaceable possession. Previous to their retreat the rebels attempted to destroy such of their stores as they could not carry with them. Bridges were burnt, the railroad tracks were broken up, and a large amount of commissary stores and other property was destroyed by fire. They left behind them, however, eighty army wagons, six caissons in good order, a large quantity of army clothing, good supplies of medical stores, besides many other useful articles. The forts were all dismantled, but the huts, sufficient to accommodate twenty-five or thirty thousand men, and built in a substantial manner, were left unharmed.—(Doc. 85.)

—This day Jeff. Davis sent a message to the rebel Congress, stating that he had suspended Gens. Floyd and Pillow from their commands until they could give more satisfactory accounts of their action at Fort Donelson. He is dissatisfied with their reports. The message states that neither of them say that reinforcements were asked for, nor do they show that the position could not have been evacuated and a whole army saved as well as a part of it. It is also not shown by what authority two senior generals abandoned their responsibility by transferring the command to a junior officer. —(Doc. 46.)

— This afternoon Assistant Surg. A. C. Rhoads, of the Pocahontas, by permission of his commanding officer, landed with a boat’s crew near Brunswick, Ga., for the purpose of procuring some fresh beef, for the ships. Having accomplished his object, the boat was returning to the Pocahontas, but had scarcely gone twenty yards from the beach, when they were suddenly fired upon by a body of rebels concealed in a thicket, and two men, John Wilson and John Shuter, were instantly killed, and seven wounded, one, William Delaney, mortally, and two severely, namely, William Smith, second, (first-class fireman,) and Edward Bonsall, (coxswain.)

After the rebels had fired their first volley they called out, in most offensive language, to surrender; but this demand was refused by Dr. Rhoads, who, with the assistance of Acting Paymaster Kitchen and his wounded boat’s crew, pulled as rapidly as they could toward the Pocahontas, the enemy continuing their fire.

In a few minutes a shell from one of the eleven guns of the Mohican dropped among them, and quite near to another company of about sixty men, who were advancing rapidly. The rebels scattered and fled in all direction. Several shells were also fired at a locomotive and train observed in the distance, and it is supposed with effect —Flag-Officer Du Pont’s Report.

—In the rebel Congress at Richmond, Va., a vote of thanks was passed to Capt Buchanan, his officers and crew, for their gallantry in the action in Hampton Roads, Va.

—Gen. Grant was this day presented with a sword by the officers of his command, at Fort Henry. The sword is of most exquisite workmanship, and manufactured at great expense. The handle is ivory, mounted with gold, and the blade of the finest texture and steel. There are two scabbards — one of fire-gilt and the other of gilt, mounted at the band. Accompanying the sword is a beautiful sash and belt, all inclosed in a fine rosewood case. The inscription on the sword was simply as follows: “Presented to Gen. U. S. Grant by G. W. Graham, C. R. Lagou, C. C. Marsh, and John Cook, 1861.”—Gen. C. F. Smith has taken command of the army in the field, Gen. Grant remaining at Fort Henry. The latter has applied to Gen. Halleck to be relieved of his command altogether.

—Col. Geary, Acting Brigadier-General of troops at Leesburg, Va., made a personal reconnoissance yesterday as far as Carter’s Mills. The trail of the retreating enemy was blackened with the ruins of granaries, ashes of hay and grain-stacks, fences, etc. He found the bridge over Goose Creek had been burned. The rebels have completely fallen back. The command continues to make captures of rank secessionists. The loyal feeling is growing, and many persons come forward to take the oath of allegiance daily.

Col. Geary, with some of his officers and a detachment of the First Michigan cavalry, rode to Ball’s Bluff to-day and buried the whitened bones of the brave Union soldiers who fell upon that field in October last. Impressive remarks preceded this humane act, and a monument of gross rebel neglect was hidden from human sight— N. Y. Times, March 12.

—The occupation of Manassas, Va., by the National troops, was celebrated throughout the loyal States in every manifestation of joy and patriotism.

—President Lincoln assumed the active duties of Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. His first order, issued January twenty-second, but only now made public, directs a general movement of the land and naval forces against the rebels on the twenty-second day of February. The army and naval forces designated for this movement are especially directed to be ready, and the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, the General-in-Chief, McClellan, and all other commanders and subordinates are notified that they will be held to a strict and full accountability for the prompt execution of the order. The second order directs the organization of the Army of the Potomac into five corps, and designates the commanders of each. The third order states that Gen. McClellan, having personally taken the field, he is relieved of the command of all other military departments except that of the Department of the Potomac. The two departments of Generals Halleck and Hunter, with a portion of that now under Gen. Buell, are consolidated and designated as the Department of the Mississippi, and placed under the command of General Halleck. The country west of the Department of the Potomac, and east of the Department of the Mississippi, is designated the Mountain Department, and placed under command of General Fremont This department will include Western Virginia and East-Tennessee north of Knoxville. Commanders of departments are notified to report directly to the Secretary of War, and that prompt, full and frequent reports will be expected of them.—(Doc. 86.)

March 10.—Lieut. J. D. Joak, of the First Iowa cavalry, with thirty men, encountered a band of marauders posted in a log-house and barn in Lafayette County, Mo. The enemy were defeated after a short engagement, in which they had nine killed and three wounded. The National loss was one killed and four wounded.—N. Y. World, March 21.

—Au expedition, sent out from Sedalia, Mo., by Brig.-Gen. McKean, into Bates County, returned with forty prisoners of war, recruits from Gen. Price’s army, a quantity of arms, ammunition, and other effects.

—In the United States Senate a joint resolution, in accordance with the suggestion in the President’s Special Message, tendering the aid of the Government to the States of Maryland and Delaware, and favoring voluntary emancipation, was offered by Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, but objected to by Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, and laid over. The Confiscation bill was taken up, and Mr. Browning, of Illinois, made a speech in opposition to it. At the conclusion of his speech a joint resolution of thanks to Commodore Foote was passed. The House bill, providing a new Article of War, prohibiting officers of the army from returning fugitive slaves, was debated at considerable length, and finally passed as it came from the House, twenty-nine to nine.

—The gunboat Whitehall, lying at Hampton Roads, Va., took fire at two o’clock this morning, and was totally destroyed. Three of her guns, all of which were shotted, went off at intervals, and a shell burst in the air, scattering its fragments about Fort Monroe, without, however, doing any damage. Another gun was saved by the harbor crew. The Whitehall was formerly a Fulton ferry-boat, at New-York.

—This day Col. James Carter, with his regiment of loyal Tennesseeans, left Camp Cumberland Ford, and went through the mountains, some forty odd miles, to Big Creek Gap, some four miles above Jacksboro, Tenn., where they had a fight with the rebel cavalry. Two of the rebels were killed, four badly wounded, and fifteen taken prisoners, among whom was Lieut.-Col. White. Col. Carter also obtained all of the tents for three companies, their camp equipage, and provisions, and some arms. Twenty-seven of the rebels’ horses were killed, and fifty-nine captured, with seven mules and four wagons. Lieut.-Col. Keigwin, of the Forty-ninth regiment Indiana volunteers, accompanied Colonel Carter, and rendered most efficient service. The National casualties were Lieutenant Myers and one private slightly wounded.—Louisville Journal, March 24.

—This morning the National forces, amounting to upwards of two thousand, proceeded to Centreville, Va., and occupied the village about four o’clock in the afternoon. It was altogether deserted. The rebels had destroyed as much of their property as they could not carry away, by fire and otherwise. The bridges, railroad track and depot, in that vicinity were extensively damaged, and nothing but wreck and desolation were apparent—N. Y. Herald, March 12.

—In the confederate House of Representatives, a resolution was passed advising the planters to withdraw from the cultivation of cotton and tobacco, and devote their energies to raising provisions and cattle, hogs and sheep.

—Charles Williams, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Samuel P. Carrect, of Washington City, were arrested for disloyalty in Richmond, Va., this day.

—Brunswick, Ga., was this day occupied by the National forces.

March 9.—Early yesterday afternoon, the rebel iron-plated steamer Merrimac came out of Norfolk harbor, moved slowly down the channel leading to Newport News, and steamed direct for the United States sailing frigates Cumberland and Congress, which were lying at the mouth of the James River. The Cumberland opened fire on her, but the balls had no effect. In the meantime the rebel steamers Yorktown and Jamestown, came down the James River and joined in the engagement The Merrimac ran against the Cumberland, striking her about midships and laying open her sides. This movement was repeated, and then the steamer started for the Congress. The latter surrendered, and in the evening it was fired. The Minnesota attempted to engage in the conflict, but run aground not far from Newport News.

The St Lawrence fired a number of shots, but was unable to get near the rebel steamers. The gunboat Oregon was disabled by a shot in her boiler, and the gunboat Zouave was also damaged to some extent The new Ericsson iron-clad battery, the Monitor, arrived in the roads at ten o’clock in the evening, and at once went to the protection of the Minnesota. This morning the contest was renewed, and from eight o’clock to twelve o’clock, the two iron-clad steamers fought, part of the time touching each other. At last the Merrimac retired, having sustained serious injuries. The Monitor was uninjured.—(Doc. 82.)

— A Brigade of United States troops from Cairo, Ill., occupied Point Pleasant, Mo., about ten miles below New-Madrid, thus cutting off the communication of the rebels with the main confederate army further down the Mississippi River. At Point Pleasant the National troops took possession of a rebel transport loaded with flour, and scuttled her.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—The citizens of Shelbyville, Bedford County, Tenn., burned a large quantity of confederate stores, to prevent their falling into the hands of the rebel troops under A. Sydney Johnston, who were in full retreat from Murfreesboro’.

—Cockpit Point, Va., was occupied by the National troops. About two P.M., the rebels commenced to retreat, and fired their tents and other property difficult of removal. They also burned their steamer George Page, and all the other craft which they had in the creek.

The National gunboats opened fire on the battery about three o’clock P.m., and at half-past four a force was landed, and ran up the Union flag over the rebel works.—(Doc. 83.)

—Great excitement existed throughout the seaboard cities and towns of the Northern States, concerning the possibility of the rebel gunboat Merrimac’s escaping from Hampton Roads and visiting them.

—This morning at daybreak, the camp of Gen. McCook, situated on the Franklin Turnpike, three miles south of Nashville, Tenn., was attacked by a party of rebels, and a corporal of the First Wisconsin regiment killed. — Louisville Journal, March 12.

—A skirmish took place to-day at Burk’s Station, near Fairfax Court-House, Va., between a detachment of the Linconn cavalry, consisting of fourteen men, under command of Lieut. Hidden, and about one hundred and fifty rebel infantry.

The cavalry charged upon the rebels and drove back the majority of them, with the loss, however, of Lieut. Hidden. The remainder fought desperately on both sides, three rebels being killed, five wounded and eleven taken prisoners. The members of the Lincoln cavalry were commanded by Corporal Eugene Lewis, after Lieut. Hidden fell.—(Doc. 84.)

—Two powder-mills, on the opposite side of the river, at New-Orleans, were blown up, and five workmen were killed. The loss of property was principally in machinery. There was only about three thousand pounds of powder on hand. —New-Orleans Crescent, March 10.

March 7.—The Eighth regiment of Vermont volunteers, under the command of Col. Stephen Thomas, passed through New-York on the way to the seat of war. It is composed of one thousand and sixty men, fully uniformed, armed with Enfield rifles, and equipped. They have been recruited from among the hardy sons of the Green Mountain State, and arc unusually strong and robust, mostly between the ages of twenty and thirty-five years.

Accompanying the regiment are two light batteries of six rifled six-pounders each, the two companies numbering one hundred and seventy-five men each. They are commanded respectively by Capt Geo. W. Duncan and Capt. Sales.

—In the English House of Commons, Mr. Gregory, pursuant to notice, called the attention of the House to the blockade of the Southern ports, and moved for a copy of any correspondence on the subject, subsequent to the papers already before the House. He expressed his strong sympathy for the struggle going forward in the confederate States, and declared that a separation of the South from the North, and a reconstruction of the Union, were the only means by which they could hope to see slavery abolished in America.

—The rebel steamer Sumter still remained at Gibraltar, the United States gunboat Tuscarora watching her.

—A brisk cannonading took place on the Lower Potomac at four o’clock this morning, when the Freeborn, Satellite, Island Belle, and the Resolute opened fire on the line of batteries extending from opposite Liverpool Point to Boyd’s Hole, including three at Aquia Creek. The rebels returned the fire, but without striking any of the National vessels. Proceeding up to Wade’s Bay in the afternoon, in which direction heavy firing had been heard during the day, the Island Belle and the Satellite again opened fire on the railroad depot and some trains of cars filled with rebel troops that were constantly arriving from Fredericksburg. The depot was riddled by the shot and shell. The enemy returned the fire from a battery on the water-line and another on a hill a little back. Their shots fell thickly around the vessels, but not one of them took effect. The troops at Aquia Creek were constantly receiving reinforcements. The batteries at Cockpit Point and Shipping Point opened fire on Professor Lowe’s balloon, when in the air near Budd’s Ferry, but the balloon was not hit on either side. —Gov. Andrew Johnson, with his staff, accompanied by Messrs. Etheridge and Maynard, left Washington this evening for Nashville, to enter upon their charge of the new government of Tennessee.

—The Richmond Examiner, of this date, has the following: “What has become of the enormous number of arms stored in Southern arsenals at the beginning of this war? Into what proportions have the cargoes said to have been brought in from time to time, by rumor, dwindled through official count? They are certainly not in the hands of soldiers now in the field, nor are they still in the arsenals, nor have they been captured by the enemy. Admit that in the hands of prisoners taken by the enemy there were twenty thousand stand, that half as many more have been broken or lost in marches and hospitals, the total that should be subtracted from the original sum is still too small to account for the present scarcity of muskets and of bayonets.

“But a vast quantity have undoubtedly gone with the sixty days’ men, the four months’ men, the six months’ men; a still greater loss is attributable to the many useless and unprofitable assemblages of the militia. It is certain only that the ordnance department has not the arms for the new levies. There are many more soldiers at the government’s command than muskets. It could find employment for five hundred thousand stand of arms that it has not in possession or in prospect. Under these circumstances no wiser measure could have been adopted by the government than the call for the guns in the hands of the citizens as private property. There are a million of guns possessed by the citizens of the South in this manner, and the country has a right to every one of them now. Most shot-guns will carry a ball, and all of them are good for buckshot. They are as effective as any smooth bore, and are much better made than the musket. Troops armed with double-barreled shot-guns need no bayonets; for any line that attempted to charge them would be annihilated by the second load, which will always be retained, and can be delivered at twenty paces. It is hoped that the government will inexorably enforce its regulation; and no sincere patriot will be unwilling to assist its execution to the utmost of his power.”

—John Park, Mayor of Memphis, Tenn., this day issued the following proclamation:

“To The People or Memphis: Much has been said in regard to the burning of our city. I have, as John Park, (not the Mayor,) to say this to our citizens: That I will, under any and all circumstances, protect the city from incendiaries, and he who attempts to fire his neighbor’s house — or even his own, whereby it endangers his neighbor —I will, regardless of judge, jury, or the benefit of clergy, hang him to the first lamp-post, tree, or awning. I have the means under my control to carry out the above individual proclamation.”

—An excitement occurred in the town of Dover, Del., this day. It appears that two companies of Home Guards had been raised in the town, one called the Hazlet Guards, and the other simply denominated Home Guards. The Hazlet Guards were equipped by the State, but the other organization by the Government. The Government called on the Hazlet Guards to give up their arms, which they refused to do. Persisting in this determination, two hundred Government troops were immediately sent to the town from Cambridge, Md., under the command of Col. Wallace. Five of the ringleaders were arrested, but three were afterward released, Capts. Pennington and Wise only remaining in custody. The town numbers about two thousand persons, and the whole place is now under strict martial law.—N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, March 11.

—The rebel chief, Quantrel, with a party of his troops, entered Aubry, Kansas, this day, killing five Unionists, and carrying off fifteen horses.— N.Y. Times, March 11.

—The United States Senate this day confirmed the following as Brigadier-Generals of Volunteers: Major Laurance Graham, of Second cavalry; Eleazer Paine, of Illinois; William A. Richardson, of Illinois; Daniel Butterfield, of New-York; W. T. Ward, of Kentucky; Major George Sykes, of the Thirteenth infantry; Captain David Stanley, of the Tenth cavalry; Thomas A. Davies, of NewYork; Col. Philip St. George Cooke, Second cavalry; Major George Stoneman, Fourth cavalry; Capt. Joseph B. Plummer, First regiment of infantry, for gallant conduct at Springfield and Fredericktown, Mo.

The Senate also confirmed Henry Van Renssalear to be Inspector-General, with the rank of Colonel, and Thomas Hillhouse, of New-York, to be Assistant Adjutant-General of Volunteers, with the rank of Major.

March 6.—A squad of Van Allen’s cavalry today captured a rebel picket, five in number, near Bunker Hill, Va. They belonged to the Second Virginia infantry. They were carried before the Division Provost-Marshal, Lieut-Col. Andrews, of the Massachusetts Second, for examination.

-—The confederate Congress passed the following substitute for the original bill offered by Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, to authorize the destruction of cotton, tobacco, and other property in military emergencies:

Be it enacted by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That it shall be the duty of all military commanders in the service of the confederate States to destroy all cotton, tobacco, or other property that may be useful to the enemy, if the same cannot be safely removed, whenever, in their judgment, the said cotton, tobacco, and other property is about to fall into the hands of the enemy.

The following clause was struck out of the original bill on a motion to amend:

The owners thereof shall receive just compensation therefor from the confederate government, under such laws and regulations as may hereafter be established by Congress.

It will be seen that the question of the compensation of owners of the property destroyed is cut off.—Richmond Examiner, March 7.

—President Lincoln transmitted to Congress a message, recommending the adoption of a joint resolution that “the United States ought to cooperate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State in its discretion to compensate for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such change of system.” The President does not urge the adoption of the resolution, but says that the proposition is made “as an offer only,” and declares his conviction that the emancipation of slavery must be gradual, not sudden. He says the “war has been an indispensable mean” for the preservation of the Union, and the present proposition is made as something which promises “great efficiency toward ending the struggle.”— (Doc. 79.)

—Smithfield, Va., was this day occupied by a strong force of United States troops.—Capts. Bell, McKean, Du Pont, Goldsborough, and Farragut were confirmed by the Senate of the United States as flag-officers of the Navy. President Lincoln, in addition to the officers promoted for gallant conduct, nominated Brig.-Gen. Thomas to be a major-general, as a recognition of his eminent services in Kentucky.

—The Ninety-eighth regiment of New-York State volunteers arrived at New-York, en route for the scat of war. It is commanded by Col. William Dutton, a graduate of West-Point, and a classmate of Gen. McClellan.

—An adjourned meeting of citizens of Charleston, S. C, was held at the City Hall, at seven o’clock P.M., to organize the free market of the city, in order to supply the families of soldiers and sailors with provisions and necessaries, free of charge, during the existing war.— Charleston Mercury, March 6.

—A Squadron of the First regiment of Michigan cavalry surprised a party of rebel cavalry at Berryville, Va., routing them, killing three and capturing nine horses, without the loss of a man. —Baltimore American, March 7.