The American Civil War

February 19.—President Lincoln issued the following proclamation to-day:

“It is recommended to the people of the United States that they assemble in their customary places of meeting for public solemnities, on the twenty-second day of February, inst, and celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the father of his country, by causing to be read to them his immortal Farewell Address.

“Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-sixth.”

—Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, having taken the field in person, issued orders, from his headquarters at Memphis, appointing his division commanders, and calling upon the people to meet and repel the invaders of the State.—(Doc. 51.)

—The first payment of interest on the Government war-loan, was made at the office of the United States Assistant Treasurer, in New-York City.

—In the Confederate Congress, in session at Richmond, Va., the electoral votes for President and Vice – President were counted. The total number of electoral votes was one hundred and nine, all of which were cast for Jeff. Davis, for President, and Alexander H. Stephens, for Vice President

—The Memphis Appeal, of this date, has the following:

“Gen. Polk issued orders yesterday, that the track of the Memphis and Ohio railroad should be torn up, and the bridges burned, which order was obeyed, and by this time the work of destruction is complete on a great part of the road. A rumor prevailed on the streets this afternoon, that Polk was preparing to evacuate Columbus to-morrow, remove all the guns, etc., and demolish the fortifications. The forces at New-Madrid and Fort Pillow, together with the Columbus troops, are to repair at once to Memphis, and make a stand, making an army of about fifty thousand men.”

—The city of Clarksville, on the Cumberland River, Tennessee, was taken possession of to-day by the National forces, under command of Flag Officer A. H. Foote, U.S.N., having surrendered without an engagement. Two thirds of the inhabitants having fled from the town, Com. Foote, at the request of the Mayor, issued a proclamation, assuring all peaceably-disposed persons, that they might resume with safety their business avocations, requiring only the military stores and equipments to be given up.—(Doc. 52.)

Missouri “Democrat” Account.

Kansas City, Mo., February 23. The event which has above all others marked the day, and communicated a joyousness to the Union men of this vicinity — second only to that felt upon the capture of Fort Donelson—was the discomfiture and rout of Quantril and Parker, with seventy-five men, by two companies of the Second Ohio Cavalry under Lieut. Nettleton. The facts are as follows:

Learning that Parker, with a company of sixty men from Waverly, Mo., and Quantril, with fifteen men, were at Independence, engaged in their usual amusements of plundering, bragging, etc., Major Purington of the Second Ohio Cavalry, sent out the above-mentioned force to capture them.

Starting at three o’clock in the morning {Feb. 18} , Lieut. Nettleton reached and surrounded Independence by daylight; but after a thorough search, it was found that those marauders had again eluded us. The command left Independence for this place about eight A.M., this morning, but stopped about half a mile from town to feed their horses. In the mean time, a man by the name of Smiley, a member of the State militia, and one of the Ohio boys, had remained behind, and were about starting to overtake the command, when they were suddenly surrounded by a party of Quantril’s men, who had just arrived in town. The Ohio soldier escaped, but Smiley was captured. In a few minutes more, in came Quantril, and Parker with seventy-five men, who disarmed him and deliberately shot him with his own pistol.

By this time the Ohio troops were informed of the state of things, and came dashing into town before the astonished rebels, who supposed them to be half-way to Kansas City, were aware of their approach. Quantril and Parker precipitately fled, leaving their men to follow as best they could. They were overtaken, however, in the public square, where a brief skirmish ensued in which two of the rebels were killed and one Ohio soldier. A second attempt to escape was made, and a second time they were overtaken; this time just east of the Court-House. In this skirmish two more of the rebels were killed and five prisoners taken, with a quantity of arms, etc., most of which were still loaded, not having been discharged.

After a brief fight through the town, among the dwellings, behind the fences, etc., the enemy all scattered and were lost in the fog.

The result of the whole affair was the death of the rebel gang, including (as the prisoners say) Parker himself. If this is the case, the affair has been a great benefit to the community, as this Parker has been the terror of all isolated Union families in this region of country.

Lieut. Nettleton deserves much credit for the manner in which the affair was conducted, and the boys “went in” with a relish which shows that their title of “Wade and Hutchins cavalry,” is not out of compliment to their men alone, but because they combine the pluck and fierceness of old Ben Wade with the activity of Hutchins.

February 18.—A skirmish occurred at Independence, Mo., between a detachment of Ohio cavalry and a band of rebels, headed by Quantrel and Parker. The latter were routed, with a loss of three killed, several wounded, and several taken prisoners. A quantity of arms was also captured. The Federal loss one killed and three wounded.—(Doc. 47.)

—This morning, Gov. Rector, of Arkansas, issued a proclamation, drafting into immediate service every man in the State subject to military duty, to respond within twenty days.—Memphis Appeal, February 19.

—The Constitutional Convention in session at Wheeling, Va., adjourned this evening, after fifty-nine days’ session. The Free State measure was defeated. Commissioners were, however, appointed, with powers to reassemble the Convention in case the new State was recognised by Congress.— National Intelligencer, February 20.

—In the British Parliament, John Bright made a strong speech denouncing the policy of the English government as to the Trent affair, and was answered by Lord Palmerston. Earl Russell explained the case of Mr. Shaver, a British subject imprisoned in Fort Warren, sustaining the action of the American Government.

—At Baltimore, Md., S. S. Wills, the publisher, and Thomas S. Piggott, editor of The South, were arrested and taken to Fort McHenry.

—The first session of the Congress of the “permanent” government of the Confederate States, was opened at noon to-day in the capitol at Richmond, Va., Vice-President-elect, Alexander H. Stevens, of Georgia, occupying the chair in the Senate. Nineteen Senators were present, and a quorum of Representatives. After the election of proper officers, and a speech from Thomas S. Bocock, of Virginia, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the “permanent” Congress was declared duly organized.—(Doc. 48.)

—The Thirteenth regiment of Maine volunteers, under the command of Colonel Neal Dow, left Camp Beaufort, Augusta, for the seat of war.

—Flag-officer Goldsborough and Brig.-Gen. Burnside issued a proclamation at Roanoke Island, explaining the object of their mission, declaring the course they intend to pursue, and inviting the inhabitants of North-Carolina to separate themselves from the malign influence of the bad men in their midst, and to return to their allegiance.—(Doc. 49.)

—Howell Cobb, R. Toombs, M. J. Crawford, Thomas R. R. Cobb, members from Georgia, have issued an address to the people of that State, on relinquishing their seats in the provisional Congress of the Confederate States. They call upon the people of Georgia to exert every nerve, and strain every muscle, to repress the invaders. Though acknowledging the Southern inability to cope with the resources, numbers, equipments and munitions of war of the North, they urge the confederates to provide against these odds by “desperate courage, unflinching daring, and universal self-sacrifice.” They warn the Georgians against being lulled into a fatal security, and incite them to prepare for all contingencies, by arming every woman and child with a firebrand, that nothing but “blackness and ruin” may “welcome the vandals.”

They recognise with gratitude the hand of Providence in preserving the Confederacy from these who, having complete control of the seas, and an immense army, “disciplined to the unthinking stolidity of regulars,” were preparing to “crush them with a giant’s grasp.” Finally they impress upon them the importance of an unshaken faith in God, declare their confidence in the ultimate issue of the struggle, and a belief that their children’s children will rise up to call them “blessed.” —(Doc. 50.)

February 17.—At Columbus, the Legislature of Ohio held a mass-meeting in the State House to rejoice over the recent victories of Forts Henry, Donelson, etc.

Gov. Tod was called to the chair; prayer was made by the venerable Dr. Hoge, amid the booming of cannon. Gov. Tod said:

“If there is a man in all the country that does not rejoice over the news of to-day, frown on him, brand him as a traitor. Is he in your churches? turn him out. Is he in your Assembly? put him out. Is he in your family? shut the door in his face. [Cheers.] We want it understood as the voice of this meeting, that the Government is to hang all guilty traitors; and that if England continues to threaten, we will next pay our respects to her.”

Speeches were also made by Mr. Thomas Ewing, Lieut.-Governor Stanton, Mr. Delano, Col. B. McCook, Messrs. Groesbeck, Fink, Monroe, Flagg and Galloway. Senators, Representatives, State officers and the people, had a refreshing season, and adjourned after three cheers for the Union.

—A battle took place at Sugar Creek, Arkansas, this day. The rebels were concealed in the woods on both sides of the road. The country was broken, hilly woodland. The First Missouri cavalry, while charging up the hill, were fired upon by the ambushed foe, concealed behind the trees.

After receiving a murderous fire, in which thirteen of the Nationals fell and five were wounded, the cavalry fell back and formed in line. Major Bowen came up and shelled the woods with his mountain howitzers. The enemy replied with their artillery. The latter ceased firing, and the National advance fell back to their camp. Major Bowen was wounded in the wrist. Capt. Switzer, of Wright’s battalion, Fourth cavalry, and Major T. C. McKinney, Assistant Adjutant-General, were among the wounded.—St. Louis Democrat.

—Gen. Huger, at Norfolk, Va., issued the following order this day: “Such portions of the militia as are called into service, in this Department, will report to the nearest confederate officer, and will be employed in defending their property and homes now threatened by the invader.

“They will obstruct the water-courses and roads by which the enemy may approach, and from the narrow banks of the rivers use their shot-guns on the ravagers. They will arrest all citizens who hold intercourse with the enemy.

“Let every man do his duty, and the destroyers will be driven from your country.”

—This day two regiments of rebel Tennesseans marched into Fort Donelson to reinforce it, being unaware of its capture. They went along with their colors flying and their bands playing, and were allowed to enter the camp without any warning as to the character of the possessors of it. They were all (one thousand four hundred and seventy) captured.—N. Y. Herald, March 1.