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

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.

April 1.—The United States steamers Jacob Bell and Stepping Stone, visited Evansport, Va., this day. A boat’s crew from each vessel was sent on shore. They visited nearly all the batteries in that vicinity, including one on a high hill, about half a mile back of Evansport, where was found the gun that Capt Eastman had attempted unsuccessfully to burst. It is a thirty-two pounder. This battery, aided by field-pieces, was intended to cover the retreat of the rebels through the woods in the rear, in the event of their being driven from the lower battery. It was defended by rifle-pits.

Several men went a considerable distance into the country, but there were no signs of rebel troops nor inhabitants. Both parties of seamen subsequently returned on shore, in command of Lieut. Commanding McRea, of the Jacob Bell, proceeding inland, where they found five rebel store-houses, containing hay, cutting-machines, platform scales, and other useful apparatus and implements. They set fire to the buildings, which were entirely consumed. — Ohio Statesman, April 3.

—In accordance with the orders of Major-Gen. Hunter, Gen. Benham this day assumed the command of the northern district of the department of the South, constituting the First division of the army of the South, said district comprising the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and all that part of Florida north and east of a line extending from Cape Canaveral, north-west to the Gulf coast, just north of Cedar Keys and its dependencies, and thence north to the Georgia line. —Benham’s General Orders, No. 1.

—To-night an armed boat expedition was fitted out from Com. Foote’s squadron, and the land forces off Island Number Ten, in the Mississippi River, under command of Col. Roberts, of the Forty-second Illinois regiment The five boats comprising the expedition, were in charge of First Master J. V. Johnson, of the St. Louis, assisted by Fourth Master G. P. Lord, of the Benton, Fourth Master Pierce, of the Cincinnati, Fourth Master Morgan, of the Pittsburgh, and Master’s Mate Scanille, of the Mound City, each with a boat’s crew of ten men from their respective vessels, carrying in all one hundred men, exclusive of officers, under the command of Colonel Roberts. At midnight the boats reached the upper or Number Ten Fort, and pulling directly on its face, carried it, receiving only the harmless fire of two sentinels, who ran on discharging their muskets, while the rebel troops in the vicinity rapidly retreated; whereupon Col. Roberts spiked the six guns, mounted in the Fort, and returned with the boats uninjured.—(Doc. 112.)

—At Nashville, Tenn., last Saturday, Messrs. Brennan were arrested by Col. Matthews, provost-marshal, and paroled until ten o’clock yesterday morning, when they were again paroled till noon to-day. Sunday, R. B. Cheatham, Esq., Mayor of the city, was arrested, and paroled till twelve M. yesterday. He appeared at that hour, and his parole was extended till twelve to-day. Yesterday, Messrs. Sharp & Hamilton, of the Nashville Plough Manufactory, were also arrested, and put under bonds of three thousand dollars for their appearance. The charge against these gentlemen is treason.

The Messrs. Brennan, iron-founders, are said to have manufactured cannon, shells, and balls for the Confederate States, and upon this, we believe, the charge against them is founded. Aiding and abetting the enemy, that is, the confederate States—is the basis of the charge against the Mayor. Messrs. Sharp & Hamilton, it is reported, instead of turning “swords into ploughshares,” converted plough-shares into swords and knives for the confederates, and thus made themselves amenable to the charge of treason against the United States.—Nashville Banner, April 1.

—Eastport, Miss., was shelled by the National gunboats Cairo, Tyler and Lexington, this day, at the conclusion of which the troops landed, but found that the rebels had fled, having taken away their last gun two days previous.—Cincinnati Gazette, April 9.

—A Reconnoissance was made from Newport News, Va., to Watts Creek, a distance of nine miles. The enemy appeared, three thousand strong, and opened with cannon on the National forces, but their balls passed entirely over them. The batteries were immediately got in position, and opened fire on the rebels, when their entire force broke and fled, fording across the creek in great confusion, out of range. The object of the reconnoissance being accomplished, the troops retired. The whole country, through which the Union troops passed, was formerly the garden spot of Virginia. It is now perfectly devastated, and but one house was left standing. The houses, fences and trees have been burned by the retreating rebels.—New York Commercial, April 3.

March 31.—General Hunter, having arrived at Port Royal, S.C., assumed the command of the Department of the South, consisting of the States of South-Carolina, Georgia and Florida.—(Doc. 111.)

—Col. Buford, of the Twenty-seventh Illinois, accompanied by his regiment, the Forty-second Illinois, the Douglas Brigade, Col. Roberts, and four hundred of the Fifteenth Wiconsin, Col. Heg, (Scandinavian,) all from Island No. Ten, and two companies of the Second Illinois cavalry, Colonel Hogg, and a detachment of artillery, the last two from Hickman, Ky., made a reconnoissance in force and descent upon Union City, Tenn; and after a forced march of twenty-four hours, discovered a large force of rebel cavalry and infantry, under the notorious Clay King. The cavalry dashed into the place at a furious rate. The utmost consternation seized the rebels, and they fled in every direction. Several of them were killed, and about one hundred taken prisoners; one hundred and fifty horses were captured, a large amount of forage and spoils, and several secession flags. The National forces returned to Hickman after destroying the tents and other property they could not carry away.—Chicago Times.

— The One Hundred and Fifth regiment of New-York Volunteers, under the command of Col. James M. Fuller, left Rochester for the seat of war.—N. Y. Commercial, April 1.

—A Very large meeting of citizens of New-England, resident in New-York, was held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, this evening, with a view to make some arrangements to provide for proper attention to the wounded soldiers passing through the city on their return from the battle-field.

March 30.—At Pensacola, Fla., Colonel T. M. Jones, commander at that place, issued the following:

“For the information of all concerned: There are certain lounging, worthless people, white as well as colored, who frequent Pensacola and vicinity, and have no observable occupation. Their intentions may be honest; but the colonel commanding does not believe it, and as he has no use for their presence, they are warned to leave, or the consequence must rest on their own heads. The gallows is erected in Pensacola, and will be in constant use on and after the third of April, 1862. The town is under complete martial law.”

—Lieut. Drake De Kay, aid to Gen. Mansfield, at Newport News, Va., started on a small trip up the James River, accompanied by some of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts regiment When some eight or nine miles from camp, on going round a bend in the river, he came suddenly upon a boat containing five secessionists, named John Moore and son, John Parker, W. Burnham, (constable for a number of years in Warwick,) and W. T. Wilburn. The whole party belonged to Warwick, and had been supplying the secession army along the James River with rations. Their boat was loaded with flour, fish, tobacco, eggs, whisky, etc. The whole cargo was confiscated, and the rebel crew imprisoned. — Philadelphia Inquirer.

March 29.—This day, Col. Geary’s advance encountered three hundred of Stuart’s and White’s rebel cavalry, and a force of rebel infantry, at Middleburg, Va. He marched from Philomont in the morning, and drove in the rebel pickets outside of Middleburg,[1] when he entered the town, and discovered the infantry in retreat, and the cavalry posted to make a stand.

A gun was placed to command the main street, and the Twenty-eighth regiment advanced by all the approaches to the town, while the main body rushed through it with bayonets fixed, and on a “double-quick,” driving the enemy before them. The rebels made a halt in a hollow beyond the town, evidently manoeuvring to draw out the Michigan cavalry in pursuit, so their infantry might flank them. Companies of the Twenty-eighth now opened on them from behind stone fences, with their rifles, when the cavalry dashed off precipitately. A gun of the Twenty-eighth, in the centre of the town, was brought to bear upon them, and drove them from a thicket two miles distant, every shell exploding in the woods.

The charge through the town was fraught with great excitement. Knapsacks were thrown aside in the street as the men rushed forward. Overcoats and blankets lined the sides of the road. Stores were speedily closed, women screamed, horses dashed forward. Everything was excitement, but in good order. Col. Geary pushed on at the head, and at one time was within two hundred yards of the rebel cavalry.—Philadelphia Inquirer.

—Gen. Fremont, at Wheeling, Va., issued an order, assigning Brig.-Gen. Kelley to the command of “all of Western Virginia north and east of the counties of Jackson, Roane, Calhoun, Braxton, Lewis, Barbour and Tucker inclusive, and west of the Alleghanies, Maryland and Pennsylvania, constituting the Railroad District”

—Henry W. Bellows, D.D., delivered at Irving Hall, New-York, this evening, a conversational lecture, detailing the experience of a three days’ visit to the battle-field of Bull Run and Manassas. He exhibited a number of trophies secured on the spot, including rebel letters, arms and equipments, and the skull and bone of a Union soldier, picked up from the spot where they had been inhumanly left exposed

—A new military department, called the Middle Department, was created, consisting of the States of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, and the Counties of Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, and Anno Arundel, in Maryland, to be commanded by Major-Gen. Dix, with headquarters at Baltimore.

—This afternoon a detachment of Stuart’s Virginia cavalry made a dash at the residence of a Union lady, named Tennant, who lived about a mile and a half from Difficult Creek, and about six miles from the Chain Bridge, above Washington, D. C.

While engaged in ransacking and pillaging the residence of Mrs. Tennant, they were discovered by a portion of Col. Bayard’s Pennsylvania cavalry, who at once charged down upon them, when quite a smart engagement ensued, which resulted in the hasty flight of the rebel cavalry, but not before they had secured Mrs. Tennant and her daughter, whom they conveyed away in Mr. Tennant’s buggy, into which they had previously harnessed the horse for that purpose.

The only casualty to Col. Bayard’s cavalry, in the skirmish, was the wounding of one soldier, who was conveyed to Washington. The loss of the rebels could not be ascertained.—Baltimore American, March 31.

[1] Middleburg Is a handsome post-borough, of Loudon County, Va.. on a small affluent of the Potomac, one hundred and forty-three miles north from Richmond. It is one of the principal towns of the county, and before the present rebellion had an active trade. It has a population of about eight hundred, and contains three churches, an academy, seven stores, and one tobacco factory.

March 28.—This day Morgan’s rebel cavalry captured a train on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Col. Curran Pope, of Kentucky, was taken prisoner, with a few other Union officers. The locomotive was run into a ditch and the cars destroyed.

—A fight took place this day at Apache Canon, eighty miles from Union and twenty miles from Santa Fe, New-Mexico, between the Nationals under Major Chivington, Capts. Lewis and Wynkoop, and a party of Texans. Three battalions advanced to the canon when the pickets reported no enemy in sight. The command then advanced, when shots were fired at them by the Texans, who were in ambush, and succeeded in killing four privates. The Unionists under Slough, rushed on them, killing twenty or thirty Texans, wounding many of them, and taking seven prisoners, four officers, and three privates. Major Chivington’s command went ahead and surprised the Texan pickets, taking sixty-seven prisoners and sixty-four provision-wagons. A plan of action was determined upon—to meet the enemy in front, and flank them at the same time.

About twelve o’clock, the action became general, the Nationals doing wonders. The battery under Capt Bitter, and also the howitzer-battery under Lieut. Claflin, dispersed the Texans with terrible effect The fight lasted until four o’clock, when flags of truce were interchanged, to bury the dead and care for the wounded The enemy had about two thousand men and one six-pounder. The Nationals had one thousand three hundred men and one six and one twelve pounder and four howitzers. The enemy lost their entire train (sixty-four wagons and provisions) and two hundred and thirty mules; about one hundred and fifty killed, two hundred wounded, and ninety-three taken prisoners, among whom are thirteen officers. Some of the latter held commissions in the volunteer corps of the Territory.

Capt. Cook was wounded. His heaviest injury was sustained by his horse falling down and bruising his ankle. Lieut. Marshall, of Cook’s company, shot himself while trying to break one of the Texan guns lying in the field after the battle. Lieut Chambers was wounded severely, and afterward died. Lieut Baker and Lieut P. McGrath, were also killed. — Denver Extra, Extra, April 9.

— Col. Kensett’s cavalry, accompanied by seventy-five mounted men from Loomis’s battery, returned to Murfreesboro’, Tenn., from an expedition through the country for many miles south and southeast of that place. During the expedition they penetrated as far as Shelbyville and Talahome. Between these places they fell in with about three hundred of Wood’s rebel cavalry, who, as soon as they saw the troops, charged boldly down through a piece of woods toward them. No sooner did Col. Kennett’s men perceive the enemy coming, thinking them in good earnest, they drew out in battle array, and advanced rapidly to meet them. But before they got within gunshot, the hearts of the rebels failed them; quickly as they could, they checked the career of their horses, turned tail and fled from the field, leaving behind them seven dead and several wounded and taken prisoners. Not a person was injured on the National side.— Cincinnati Gazette, April 5.

—A detachment of the First Illinois cavalry, under Capt Thompson, overtook a guerrilla band under Colonel Parker, about ten miles west of Warrensburg, Mo. Fifteen rebels were killed and twenty-five taken prisoners. Among the latter Col. Parker and Capt. Walton. The Union loss was two killed and several wounded.

—Shipping Point, Va., was occupied by the National troops. As the steamer Mount Vernon passed that place they had raised the flag of the Union, and the band was playing the “Star Spangled Banner.” All the rebels who have been in that vicinity for some time past have left, with the exception of two or three roaming companies of cavalry.—N. Y. Evening Post, March 29.

—The steam sloop-of-war Canandaigua, was launched this day at the navy-yard at Charlestown, Massachusetts.

—The following State prisoners were to-day released by the commission relating to State prisoners: J. Barrett Cohen, O. Norris Bryan, A. J. Mitchell, and Wm. B. Bryan, on their giving their written parole. F. P. Ellis was discharged on taking the oath of allegiance. E. P. Bryan, H. A. Stewart, P. W. Carper, and W. J. Raisin were recommitted.

—A resolution was introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature, instructing the Committee on Federal Relations to consider the expediency of addressing to the President of the United States, a memorial asking for the immediate trial of General Stone, then in military confinement. The resolution was opposed on the ground that such interference was uncalled for; though the speakers expressed the hope that General Stone would speedily have a trial, which common justice demanded. The resolution was rejected almost unanimously.

—A reconnoissance was made by the National forces beyond Warrenton Junction, Va. A body of the enemy’s cavalry retreated as the troops advanced, and burned the bridge over the Rappahannock. There was some slight skirmishing, but no loss of life or any wounded of the Unionists.

March 27. — At Burlington, N. J., Rev. Samuel Aaron, a Baptist preacher, of Mount Holly, attempted to deliver an Abolition lecture, this evening. He commenced his remarks by denouncing the present Administration and avowing himself against the manner in which the war was conducted. At this the crowd began to hiss him, and storm him with rotten eggs. The ladies in the audience got frightened at these proceedings, and the excitement of the crowd rose to fever-heat, and there were angry cries of “Kill him,” “Tar and feather him,” etc The Mayor of the city was present, and tried to stop the excitement, but did not succeed in doing so. Finally the gentleman withdrew and was taken away from the hall by his friends. — N. Y. Commercial, March 28.

—The Petersburgh Express of this date, says that wood has become as scarce in that city as good coffee, and appeals to the farmers and railroads to relieve the distress. Brooms are pronounced a luxury, and the growing of broom-corn is earnestly recommended. So scarce has leather become, that hickory splits are recommended as a substitute in harnesses. In view of the scarcity of lead, merchants and others having old tea-chests, are recommended to bring them out for the lead they contain. “There is also,” says the Express, “a large quantity of lead on the various iron railings about the city, which the owners could spare.”

—The Board of Provost-Marshals of New-Orleans, consisting of N. Trefaguier, H. M. Spofford, Cyprien Dufour, H. D. Ogden, Victor Burthe, and Pierre Soule, by special order prohibited “the traffic in gold and silver against the notes of the confederate States of America,” and also declared that all traffic in paper currency, tending to create distrust in the public mind, or otherwise to produce embarrassment, should be held as acts of hostility against the government, and would be dealt with summarily.—New-Orleans Delta, April 4.

—Ashby’s cavalry, with a battery of four guns, appeared near Strasburgh, Va., and threw several shells into the Union camp, killing one man and wounding another. His position was such as prevented his being cut off. The Union guns, however, soon routed the enemy—Gen. Banks reconnoitred all positions within five miles of his camp, returning after dark.—Baltimore American, March 29.

—The National troops from General Hooker’s command are removing the guns from the abandoned rebel batteries on the Lower Potomac, tho gunboats Yankee and Wyandank being actively employed in this service. Large numbers of negroes from the Virginia side are pouring into Gen. Hooker’s camp since the rebels left that line of defence.—New- York Herald, March 27.

—A recosmoissance was made from Newport News, Va., as far as Big BetheL where the rebels were discovered to be posted to the number of one thousand five hundred. Upon the approach of the National troops, they vacated the place without showing fight, and Big Bethel was occupied by the Union soldiers.—(Doc. 110.)

—Two squadrons of the First New-Jersey cavalry, under command of Col. Wyndham, surrounded a party of rebel Texas Rangers near Dumfries, Va., twelve miles below the Occoquan. A few shots were fired on both sides without injury, except that one of the Nationals was slightly wounded in the wrist. Ten prisoners were taken and carried to Washington. The National troops captured a number of wagons loaded with wheat, but owing to the want of horses, were enabled to bring off only four of them.

—The Petersburgh, Va., Gazette of this date, complains that Gen. Burnside occupies “the palatial residence of the President of the Bank of Commerce;” that Gen. Foster “has taken possession of another handsome dwelling,” while Gen. Reno “occupies the Bank of Newbern.” It is charged that the Unionists are “plundering the country for miles around.”

March 26. — Gen. Curtis, in command of the Army of the South-west, this day issued the following emancipation order: Charles Morton, Hamilton Kennedy, and Alexander Lewis, colored men, formerly slaves, employed in the rebel service, and taken as contraband of war, are hereby confiscated, and, not being needed for the public service, are permitted to pass the pickets of this command northward, without let or hindrance, and are forever emancipated from the service of masters who allowed them to aid in their efforts to break up the Government and the laws of our country.— National Intelligencer, April 3.

—A spirited skirmish took place at the town of Warrensburgh, Mo., between Quantrell’s guerrilla followers and a detachment of Col. Phillips’s Missouri regiment, under the command of Major Emery Foster. Quantrell unexpectedly approached the town with two hundred men, and made a furious attack on the Union troops, who were only sixty in number. The latter made a gallant defence, and having the protection of a thick plank fence around their position, they succeeded, after an obstinate conflict, in repulsing the guerrillas’, and driving them beyond the limits of the town. In the action Major Emery Foster, in command, and Capt Foster, his brother, were wounded, one private was killed, one mortally wounded, since dead, and nine non-commissioned officers and privates were wounded. The rebels sustained a loss of nine men killed and seventeen wounded, and twenty of them lost their horses, which fell into the hands of Foster’s men.—Chicago Journal, March 29.

—This night a band of from five to eight hundred rebels attacked four companies of State militia, at Humonsville, Polk County, Mo. They were completely defeated, with a loss of fifteen killed and a large number wounded. The National loss was none killed, but a number wounded. Among the latter were Captains Stockton and Cosgrove, severely.

—A slight skirmish took place this evening, at McMinnville, Tenn., between a party of Ohio cavalry under the command of Capt. Hastings, and a body of rebels under Capts. McHenry and Bledsloe, in which the latter were compelled to retreat —(Doc. 109.)

March 25.—Washington, North-Carolina, was visited by the United States steamer Louisiana, under the command of Lieut. A. Murray, who reported “that underlying an apparent acquiescence of the people of the town and neighborhood in permitting the building of gunboats and the construction of batteries to repel the approach of the Federal forces, was a deep-rooted affection for the old Union.”—(Doc. 107.)

—Two hundred and thirty rebel prisoners, captured at the battle of Winchester, Va., arrived at Baltimore, Md., this afternoon, and were provided with quarters in the north wing of the new city jail. They are all Virginians, with the exception of five or six Baltimoreans, who left before the war broke out. One of the prisoners, on reaching the quarters, threw up his hat and exclaimed: “Thank God, I am in the United States once more!” Others congratulated themselves at the prospect of getting something good to eat, which they admitted they had not had for some time—N. T. Times, March 26.

—This day the National gunboats Seminole, Wyandotte, and Norwich, under the command of Capt Gillis, senior officer, proceeded up Wilmington River, Ga., and upon arriving within a mile of the Skidaway batteries, dispersed the rebel cavalry stationed there by shell, and then destroyed the batteries. The rebel force fled, leaving everything behind them, even their dinners. Captain Gillis landed and hoisted the American flag on the ramparts. Another flag was hoisted over the rebel headquarters by Acting-Master Steele. The rebel batteries were entirely destroyed, but the dwellings were spared. The dwellings were afterwards burned by the rebels. The batteries mounted ten guns, and were well built. — (Doc. 108).

—Gov. Johnson directed a letter to the officials of Nashville, Tenn., requiring them to take the oath of allegiance, but the Common Council, by a vote of sixteen to one, refused to do so. The sixteen declined on the score that it was never contemplated that that they should take such oath. The one who voted ay, said he would subscribe to the oath, but immediately resign.— Nashville Patriot.