The Rebellion Record—A Diary of American Events; by Frank Moore

August 18.—The following orders were issued from the War Department at Washington: “Hereafter no appointments of Majors-General or Brigadiers-General will be given except to officers of the regular army, for meritorious and distinguished services during the war, or to volunteer officers who, by some successful achievement in the field, shall have displayed the military abilities required for the duties of a general officer.

“No appointment to such grades will be issued by the War Department till an examination is made to ascertain if there are any charges or evidence against the character, conduct or fitness of the appointee, and if there should be any such charges or evidence a special report will be made to the President.”

— The One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiments of Pennsylvania arrived at Washington, D. C.

— The National pickets were fired on at Romney Road, Va., and one man mortally wounded. A force sent in pursuit overtook a party of bushwhackers near North River Mills, attacked them, and killed the notorious guerrilla, Bob Edwards. The rest escaped to the mountains. — Colonel Michael Corcoran, of the Sixty-ninth New-York militia, was appointed a Brigadier-General in the volunteer service of the United States.

— The Congress of the rebel States reassembled at Richmond, Va., when Jeff Davis delivered his annual message, addressed “to the Senate and House of Representatives of the confederate States.”—See Supplement.

— The steamers Skylark and Sallie were burned by guerrillas, at the mouth of Duck Creek, fifty miles above Fort Henry, Tenn. The Skylark was heavily laden with government stores. She got aground and an officer unloaded a portion of her stores when he was attacked by thirty rebels. The crew, being unarmed, were compelled to surrender. The guerrillas, after removing the furniture and silver ware, set fire to both the boats. The crews were released on parole.

— The rebel Colonel John H. Morgan, issued a proclamation from Hartsville, Tenn., in which he said that in consequence of the Federal Government causing his friends to pay for property destroyed by him, he would thenceforth put the law of retaliation in full force, and act upon it with vigor. For every dollar exacted from his Southern fellow-citizens, he would have two from men of known Union sentiments, and would make their persons and property responsible for the payment

— Clarksville, Tenn., garrisoned by a small number of Union troops, under command of Col. Mason, was this day surrendered to Col. Woodward and a superior force of rebel guerrilla troops, without firing a shot.—(Doc. 186.)

August 17.—The office of the Constitutional Gazetteer, a newspaper published at Marysville, Kansas, was demolished this morning at an early hour by a party of National soldiers belonging to the company of Captain Bowen.—The One Hundred and Twenty-ninth regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers arrived at Washington, D. C.

— At New-York, Archbishop Hughes delivered a most important and patriotic sermon in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. After reciting his course of action in Europe, he called upon the whole North to come out in its strength, for “volunteering to continue and for a draft to be made.” He said that if three hundred thousand men were not enough, to call out another three hundred thousand. “The people should insist on being drafted, and so bring this unnatural strife to a close” by strength of might alone.

August 16.—An enthusiastic war meeting was this day held at Lake Mahopac, N. Y.—The One Hundred and Twenty-second regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers arrived at Washington, D. C. —Colonels Corcoran and Wilcox, Lieutenant-Col. Brown, and Major Rogers, reached Fortress Monroe, having been exchanged at Richmond, Va. Great joy was manifested at the release of Col. Corcoran and his fellow-soldiers.

—The United States gunboat Pocahontas, one of the blockading squadron off Charleston, proceeded up the Black River, S. C, on a reconnoitring expedition, and in search of a rebel steamer reported to be in the river. When about twenty-five miles up, it was discovered that the rebels had sunk the vessel. In returning, the Pocahontas was fired into by bands of rebel guerrillas all along the banks of the river for a distance of twenty miles, but she sustained no injury, and but one person was wounded.

—Hopkinsville, Ky., was this day captured by a force of rebel guerrilla cavalry, under the command of Colonel A. R. Johnson. A quantity of ammunition and a number of rifles fell into their hands. Colonel Johnson issued a notice to the inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, informing them that he occupied the town and had taken the arms, etc., as a confederate soldier; and that if any Southern man or his property should be molested on account of his visit, he would retaliate on the Union men of the place.

—A company of rebel cavalry dashed across the Rapidan River, Va., near Crooked Run, and captured Lieutenant Black, and five men of the Union army encamped in the vicinity.

—An expedition consisting of the Union gunboats Benton, Mound City and General Bragg, under command of Captain Phelps; the rams Switzerland, Monarch, Lioness and Sampson, under command of Colonel Ellet, and transports Rockctt and McDowell, with the Fifty-seventh Ohio, the Thirty-third Indiana, fifty cavalrymen, and two pieces of artillery on board, under command of Colonel Wood of the Fifty-seventh Ohio, left Helena, Arkansas, this day and proceeded down the Mississippi. On the eighteenth, when near the mouth of the Yazoo River, at Millikins’s Bend, they captured the rebel steamer Fairplay, laden with an entire equipment of arms, accoutrements and ammunition for an army of six thousand men. At Haines’s Bluff they captured four pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of ammunition. At Richmond, La., they destroyed the railway depot, together with its contents, a large quantity of sugar, commissary stores, ammunition, etc., and engaged a force of rebels whom they put to flight. On the twenty-fifth instant the expedition returned to Helena, without losing a man.—(Doc. 183.)

—The Richmond (Va.) Examiner of this date, speaking editorially of the approaching session of the rebel Congress, among other things, said: “It will be for Congress to repair, as it best can, the mischief done the public service by a weak and impracticable executive; to look at the reduction of our forces in the field; the decay of military discipline; the demoralization of our armies, and the jeopardy to which our cause has been put by a long course of trifling conduct, childish pride of opinion, unworthy obstinacy, official obtuseness, conceit, defiance of public opinion, imperiousness and despotic affectation on the part of those intrusted with the execution of the war.”

—The evacuation of Harrison’s Landing, on the James River, Va., by the army of the Potomac, which commenced on the eleventh instant, was this day completed.—(Doc. 184.)

—A fight took place near Lone Jack, Mo., between a force of about eight hundred Missouri State militia, under the command of Major Foster, and a body of rebel guerrillas under Colonel Coffee, numbering between three and four thousand men, resulting, after an engagement of four hours, in the defeat of the Nationals with a loss of sixty men killed and one hundred wounded and missing. The rebel loss was one hundred and ten killed and wounded.—(Doc. 185.)

August 15. — The Thirty-fourth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, under the command of Colonel George D. Wells, left Worcester for the seat of war.—A squad of cavalry from Washington, D. C, went into St. Mary’s County, Md., and encountered near Leonardstown Capt. William Clark, of the Thirty-seventh Virginia regiment, with a number of recruits, travelling in a wagon on their way to join the rebels. When they were observed the cavalry abandoned the teams and broke for the woods, but the National cavalry pursued them, and several shots were exchanged. Nine of them, including one officer, were taken and carried to the city and sent to the Old Capitol prison.

—A Sharp fight took place at Merriwether’s Ferry, on the Obion River, Tenn., between a body of Union troops under the command of Col. T. W. Harris, and a force of rebel guerrillas, under Captain Binfield, resulting in a rout of the rebels, who lost twenty men killed and nine taken prisoners.—(Doc. 182.)

August 14.—The Grenada (Miss.) Appeal of this day published the following: “In another column, this evening, will be found the order of the Adjutant-General of Rhode Island, calling for a regiment of ‘colored persons,’ who will ‘constitute a part of the quota’ from that State. The ‘gentleman of color’ has at last turned up ‘by authority,’ to the eternal disgrace of the twenty millions of whites who thus acknowledge their inability to conquer seven millions. Whenever this regiment appears on the field let the black flag be raised.”

— D. A. Mahoney, editor of the Dubuque (Iowa) Herald, was arrested by the United States Marshal. Mr. Mahoney was charged with discouraging enlistments.

—The Thirty-third regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, commanded by Colonel Albert G. Maggi, left Lynnfield for Washington.—A slight skirmish took place near Helena, Arkansas, between a scouting-party of National troops, who were looking after cotton, and a body of rebel guerrillas, resulting in the defeat and retreat of the guerrillas.

—General Pope, commanding the army of Virginia, issued an order from his headquarters near Cedar Mountain, Va., enjoining on the officers and soldiers of his army to abstain from entering the houses, molesting the persons, or disturbing the property of citizens, under pain of speedy and severe punishment. Whatever provisions, forage, or other articles might be required for the subsistence or use of the troops would be taken possession of, but only under an officer with authority for that purpose.

—President Lincoln gave an audience to a committee of colored men at the Executive Mansion, Washington. They were introduced by Rev. J. Mitchell, Commissioner of Emigration. E. M. Thomas, the chairman of the committee, remarked that they were there by invitation to hear what the Executive had to say to them. The President, after a few preliminary observations, informed them that a sum of money had been appropriated by Congress, and placed at his disposition, for the purpose of aiding colonization of the people, or a portion of the people of African descent, thereby making it his duty, as it had for a long time been his inclination, to favor that cause.

—The rebel General Breckinridge addressed a note to Colonel H. E. Paine, commanding United States forces at Baton Rouge, La., complaining that the Union troops in that vicinity had wantonly burned many private houses; had taken or destroyed much private property without compensation; had seized and carried away into imprisonment, upon false and frivolous pretexts, many unarmed citizens, and that negro slaves were being armed and organized to be employed against them. He informed him that such acts were regarded as in violation of the usages of civilized warfare; and that, in future, upon any departure from those usages “he would raise the black flag, and neither give nor ask quarter.”—See Supplement.

August 13.—A collision occurred off Ragged Point, on the Potomac River, Va., between the steamers Peabody and West-Point, by which seventy-three lives were lost. The West-Point was en route for Washington with convalescents from the army of General Burnside.—Colonel Guitar overtook Poindexter’s guerrillas again at Yellow Creek, Clinton County, Mo., routed and scattered them in utter confusion, taking sixty prisoners.—The French bark Harriet Ralli was released by the government authorities of the United States.

—The One Hundred and Tenth regiment of New-York Volunteers left their encampment near Elmira, for Washington.—A battle was fought this day near Clarendon, Ark., between the division of Gen. Hovey, consisting of six regiments of infantry and eight regiments of cavalry, and a part of Hindman’s force, which had been sent forward from Little Rock to check the advance of the Union army. The battle raged some time with destructive results. The Eleventh Indiana regiment lost seven men killed. The contest ended by the defeat and rout of Hindman’s men, and the capture of seven hundred prisoners.— N. Y. Tribune.

—As expedition consisting of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, and a marine battery, under the command of General Stevenson, embarked on board the gun-boats Wilson and Ellis, at Newbern, N. C, and proceeded to Swansboro’, where they destroyed, on the sixteenth instant, the rebel saltworks. The expedition then returned to camp at Newbern.—(Doc. 181.)

—This morning at half-past seven A.M., Gen. Pope telegraphed from Cedar Mountain, Va., to Gen. Halleck, at Washington, as follows:—”The enemy has retreated under cover of the night. His rear is now crossing the Rapidan, towards Orange Court-House. Our cavalry and artillery are in pursuit.”

August 12.—General Burnside, commanding the Ninth army corps of the Army of the Potomac, issued an order from his headquarters near Fredericksburgh, Va., informing his army that the seizure of private property belonging to rebels, except when made by officers authorized and detailed for the purpose, was not allowed, and would be followed by severe and speedy punishment.

—The prize steamer Ladona, captured while endeavoring to run up the Ogeechee River, Ga., arrived at Philadelphia, Pa.—A large war meeting was held at Alexandria, Va., this evening. Jefferson Tracy presided, and speeches were made by Senator Pomeroy, of Kansas; Senator Harlan, of Iowa; Senator Chandler, of Michigan, and others. The meeting was the most enthusiastic and largest ever held in that city.

—Gallatin, Tenn., including a force of Union troops under Colonel Boone, a large quantity of Government stores, a railway train laden with grain, a number of Government horses, etc., was captured by a force of rebel guerrillas under Colonel John H. Morgan. In the evening, Col. Miller, having arrived from Nashville with a force of Union troops, attacked and drove out Morgan’s rear-guard (the main body of whose force left during the day) killing six and wounding a number.

—The rebel Congress voted their thanks to General Robert E. Lee, and the officers and men under his command, “for their late brilliant victory, culminating in the signal defeat of the combined forces of the enemy, in the two great battles of Manassas.”

August 11.—It being a fact that a number of the inhabitants of Baton Rouge, La., who had been allowed by the United States authorities to retain their private arms, were found dead and wounded on the battle-field at that place, General Butler, at New-Orleans, ordered, to prevent a repetition of such a breach of trust, that all arms in that city, of whatever description, be delivered to the military authorities.—Gen. Order No. 21.

— General Grant, commanding Department of West-Tennessee, issued an order from his headquarters at Corinth, Miss., directing that fugitive slaves coming within the lines of the army under his command, should be employed in the quartermaster’s, subsistence, and engineer’s departments. Also, when by such employment a soldier might be saved to the ranks of the army, as teamsters, cooks, hospital attendants, and nurses.

— Bayou Sara, La., was this day taken possession of by the National forces. They seized all the sugar and molasses in the place, and quartered a garrison there.

—A fight took place in the vicinity of Independence, Mo., between a body of Union troops under the command of Colonel Buell, Seventh Missouri cavalry, and a superior force of rebel guerrillas under Colonel Hughes, resulting in the defeat of the Unionists and the capture of the town by the rebels.—(Doc. 178.)

—A party of Jeff. Thompson’s rebel cavalry surprised a company of the Third Wisconsin regiment, at a point eleven miles east of Helena, Ark., but were compelled to retire after a short but destructive battle. Several rebels were captured. —Memphis Bulletin, August 14.

—A detachment of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, sent from Bolivar, Tenn., attacked some guerrillas at Salisbury, five miles east of Grand Junction, capturing a rebel captain and twenty-seven horses and mules, and dispersing the guerrillas.

—Samuel H. Elbert, Acting Governor of Colorado Territory, issued a proclamation urging the assessors of the several counties, in view of the probability of the Colorado regiments being ordered by the United States Government for service out of the territory, to complete the enrolment of the militia in accordance with an act passed at the last session of the Territorial Legislature.

—A series of skirmishes occurred near Williamsport, Tenn., between a small body of Union troops under the command of Major Kennedy, and a superior force of rebel guerrillas, resulting in the defeat of the latter on each occasion, with considerable loss.—Gen. Negley’s Despatch.

—A fight took place near Compton’s Ferry, on the Grand River, Mo., between a force of Union cavalry under the command of Colonel Guitar, and a body of rebel guerrillas under Colonel Poindexter, resulting in the defeat of the latter, who lost one hundred men killed and wounded, two hundred prisoners, six wagons, about one hundred horses and saddles, one hundred and fifty guns, a quantity of ammunition and provisions.—(Doc. 179.)

—A skirmish took place near Reelsvillc, Callaway County, Mo., between a body of Missouri State cavalry under the command of Col. Smart, and Capt. Cobb’s rebel guerrillas, in which the latter were routed with some loss.—All the property of John Slidell, an officer of the rebel government, was confiscated by order of General Butler, at New Orleans, La.

—A skirmish took place near Kinderhook, Tenn., between a body of Union troops under the command of Colonel McGowan, and a force of rebel guerrillas under Major Anderson, resulting in the defeat of the latter, who lost seven men killed, a large number wounded, and twenty-seven prisoners.—(Doc. 180.)

August 10.—Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, issued the following order at Washington, D. C.: “The temporary restrictions upon travelling, deemed necessary to prevent evasions of liability to be drafted into the militia, were not intended to apply to couriers with despatches to and from the legations of friendly Powers in the United States. All authorities, civil and military, are consequently required to allow such couriers to pass freely, without let or investigation.”

— The national steamer Freeborn arrived at Washington, D. C, bringing twenty-five prisoners, five sail-boats, a number of canoes, and a lot of merchandise, which were captured on Friday and Saturday nights last near Blackiston Islands. The prisoners had been engaged in regular commerce between Maryland and Virginia, taking over salt, etc., and bringing back wheat. — Commander Richard Wainwright, U.S.N., died at New Orleans, La.

— A Rebel steamer was this day captured at the mouth of the Savannah River, Ga., by a Union tug-boat, and towed under the guns of Fort Pulaski.— The town of Donaldsonville, La., was this day partially destroyed by a party of men from the United States sloop-of-war Brooklyn.— (Doc. 177.)