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

November 14.—A large and enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Cincinnati, Ohio, at which addresses were made by Rev. Granville Moody, Colonel Guthrie, of the Ohio Volunteers, and General Carey.—Cincinnati Commercial, Nov. 15.

—The Savannah Republican, of to-day, has the following: “From the moment the news of the attack on South Carolina soil, and the danger of our own coast became known, one loud burst of patriotism has resounded throughout the State of Georgia, from Tennessee to the seaboard. Every able-bodied man and boy is aroused and anxious to fly to our rescue and repel the invaders. Arms only are wanted, and of these every species is being gathered and forwarded to this city. Fifty thousand Georgians could be placed—or rather would place themselves—in the field within a week, did we only possess the materials to arm and equip them. We love our noble State the more for this grand exhibition of the patriotism and valor of her sons. A dozen Lincoln fleets could not conquer such a people.”

—The Planters’ Convention, at Macon, Ga., adopted a resolution indorsing the defensive measures of the Confederate Government, and recommending a discriminating duty of twenty per cent, on the productions of the United States. It was also resolved that if the war should continue, and the present crop remain undisposed of, the planters should not plant next Spring beyond the wants of home consumption.—Norfolk Daybook, Nov. 14.

—The Richmond Examiner published “The Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America,” as proposed by the General Convention of that Church held at Columbia, South Carolina.—(Doc. 161.)

—The privateer schooner Neva, from China, was seized at San Francisco, Cal., by Captain Pease, of revenue cotter Mary.—N. Y. Tribune, Nov. 16.

—Lieutenant J. H. Rigby, of the Gist Artillery, detailed with twenty men, by Brigadier General Lockwood to proceed to Wilmington and New Castle, Md., with a view of securing a quantity of arms then in possession of secessionists in these places, promptly obeyed the order, and seized two fine brass six-pounders in the former city, and one piece of the same calibre, at New Castle. In addition, he secured one hundred United States muskets. These arms were all removed under charge of the detachment to Salisbury, where the main body of the forces recently sent to the eastern shore of Maryland were stationed.—Baltimore American, Nov. 18.

—The Richmond Dispatch, of this date, says: “It has been apparent for many months, and is obvious now, that the enemy is making a formidable demonstration toward East Tennessee from Eastern Kentucky. The object of the enemy in pushing forward there, is probably threefold. The chief purpose, doubtless, is to bring to its own support the large disaffected element of the population of East Tennessee which have been corrupted by the clamor of Andy Johnson, Maynard, Brownlow, and Trigg. The next object of the enemy is, probably, to get possession of the salt works in the western corner of Smythe County, where half a million of bushels of salt a year are now manufactured. And last, but not least, the enemy aims at the possession of a portion of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, so as to cut off our direct communication from the seat of Government with Nashville, Memphis, and our armies in Western Kentucky. The clandestine burning of bridges at a concerted period in Eastern Tennessee proves the enemy’s designs upon this important highway of transportation and travel.

“If that country be given up, and East Tennessee be in consequence lost, the empire of the South is cut in twain, and we become a fragmentary organization, fighting in scattered and segregated localities, for a cause which can no longer boast the important attribute of geographical unity.”

—The schooner Maryland, loaded with wood, was becalmed in the Potomac, opposite the rebel battery on Pig Point, and some rebel boats put off to take her, whereupon the crew took the boats and rowed away. The rebels boarded, fired, and then left the schooner; and after their departure Lieutenant Chandler, with some men of the Eleventh Massachusetts regiment, went on board and put out the fire.— (Doc. 162.)

—The Governor of Florida has issued a proclamation forbidding the enlistment of citizens of that State to serve in other portions of the Confederacy. He orders, therefore, that all military officers in commission from the State of Florida shall interfere, by arresting and sending out of the State, any person found recruiting or enticing the citizens of Florida to enter into the service of any other State.—Memphis Appeal, Nov. 16.

—The pickets of Gen. Kelley’s brigade were advanced to-day five miles from Romney, Va., on the Winchester road, and were fired into, losing two killed and several wounded. Detachments sent in pursuit of the rebels, captured about twelve prisoners.—Cincinnati Times, Dec. 3.

—The Richmond (Va.) Examiner, of this day, has the following: “With pride and pleasure we record the gratitude of the Southern people, in announcing that no less than thirty thousand dollars, made up by the free-will offerings of men, women, and children, now stand to the credit of the widow and children of the martyr Jackson, [the assassin of Col. Ellsworth,] the brave Alexandrian, who fell in defence of the flag of his country. Should the marauders penetrate to our hearthstones, we trust that they will fined that the example of Jackson is not lost upon the fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers of our city.”

—In pursuance of the Government’s intention to establish a permanent depot for naval and military purposes at Port Royal, S. C., orders were this day given for the preparation of lumber for the construction of buildings for a depot at Port Royal, for the manufacture of all kinds of machinery for naval and other purposes, also to despatch at once storeships, which are to be permanently stationed at that point —N. Y. Herald, Nov. 15.

—There was a skirmish in London County, opposite Point of Rocks, Maryland. Colonel Geary had received information of the intention of the rebels to erect fortifications in that neighborhood. He crossed the river with Captain Chapman and twenty-five picked men of the Pennsylvania regiment, reconnoitred the vicinity, and found a force of rebels upon whom he quietly closed and surprised with a volley of shots. After firing two or three volleys, the rebels were routed, leaving three men and one horse dead on the field.

—Gen. Lockwood, with the expedition for the eastern shore of Virginia, marched from Snowville, Worcester County, Maryland.—N. Y. Express, Nov. 20.

—The First Kansas Cavalry, Colonel Jennison, went to Sedalia, Mo., to protect supply trains and other Government property at that and neighboring points. Colonel Jennison issued a proclamation to the people of Jackson, Lafayette, Cass, Johnson, and Pitt counties, Missouri, in which he said, that “every man who feeds, harbors, protects, or in any way gives aid and comfort to the enemies of the Union, will be held responsible for his treason, with his life and property.”—N. Y. Commercial, Nov. 16.

—Gen. Benham, in pursuit of the retreating army of Gen. Floyd, came up with a portion of their rear guard at McCoy’s Mills, and defeated it, killing fifteen rebels—among them Col. Croghan. No loss on Benham’s side.—(Doc. 163.)

November 13. — The Legislature of Tennessee passed a law authorizing Governor Harris, of that State, to seize all private arms and call ten thousand men into service.

—The Eleventh regiment Maine Volunteers, under command of Colonel Caldwell, passed through Boston to-day, en route for Annapolis, Md, to join Gen. Burnside’s brigade. They were accompanied by one hundred and ten men, sharpshooters, commanded by Capt. James D. Fessenden, (a son of Senator Fessenden,) and one hundred recruits for the Fourth Maine regiment. — Boston Evening Transcript, Nov. 14.

— Gen. Zollicoffer, with his entire army, retreated from Cumberland Ford to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and blockaded the road along the entire distance by blasting immense rocks from the hills on either side.— N. Y. Times, Nov. 16.

— To-day, at Washington, Colonel John Cochrane delivered an address to his regiment in the presence of Secretary Cameron and other distinguished persons.

The most important point in his argument was relative to the treatment of slaves during the present contest. He said we need to use every means in our power to subdue the rebellion. We should take their cotton and sell or burn it a was best, confiscate their property, and when necessary take their lives; and as their slaves are used as an element of strength against us, we should not hesitate to take them if necessary, and to place arms in their hands that they might assist in establishing the rights of common humanity. — (Doc. 157.)

John S. Inskip, Chaplain of the New York Fourteenth regiment, in a letter thanking the Young Men’s Christian Association for the gift of a chapel tent, gives a good account of the morals of the army.— (Doc. 158.)

— General Dix ordered four thousand troops from Baltimore to march into and locate themselves in Accomac and Northampton Counties, Va. Accomac County is loyal, and will receive the troops; but Northampton County, it is said, is disposed to resist them. General Dix issued a most important proclamation, stating that the object of the advance of his troops is to maintain the authority of the Government, to protect the people and restore commerce to its original channel; that no one held to service under the laws of the State shall be interfered with, and that unless resistance is offered no fireside will be molested.—(Doc. 159.)

—Several citizens of Baltimore addressed the President on behalf of the unemployed and destitute laborers and mechanics in that city, when the President promised that they should enjoy a fair share in the labor incident to the supply of Government material, etc.—N. Y. Commercial, November 16.

November 12.—Three regiments, and two companies of cavalry, and a battery of artillery, were sent from Bowling Green in the direction of Scottsville, Ky., supposed for Gen. Zollicoffer’s relief. This movement originated in the report of an advance by the National troops on Danville.—Bowling Green Courier, Nov. 12.

—Judge Haliburton, of the Confederate District Court at Richmond, charged a Grand Jury on the law of treason, and described as “alien enemies” “all citizens of the United States, except citizens of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.”—(Doc 153.)

—Thirty-seven contraband negroes arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., having walked northward from Accomac County on the peninsula of Virginia. They were supplied with money by the Wisconsin troops. Numbers of these people are constantly arriving at Philadelphia, which has stimulated a public meeting to be held to assist them.—Boston Transcript, November 14.

—Six regiments of infantry, two batteries of artillery, and three companies of cavalry, under command of Gen. Heintzelman, made a reconnoissance to-day, as far as Occoquan Creek, about Twenty-five miles from Washington, D. C., or eighteen miles from Alexandria, Va. They started at four o’clock in the morning and returned late in the evening. The entire force first went to Pohick Church, and there divided —a portion taking the telegraph road to Burk’s Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; the other the road to a point on the Occoquan Creek, about three miles from the Potomac River. The latter crossed Pohick and Accotinck Creeks, and reached Occoquan without meeting with any opposition. Capt. Todd’s company of Lincoln Cavalry, which was with the party that went in the direction of Burk’s Station, were sent out to make a reconnoissance in advance of the infantry, and when several miles from the other part of the division were suddenly surrounded by a large number of rebels who had been concealed in the woods. Their only hope of escape, therefore, was by cutting their way through, and a skirmish accordingly occurred, the cavalry effecting their purpose, but with a loss of three men killed, one wounded, and three taken prisoners, including Capt. Todd, who had ventured too far in advance of his command. The object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, Gen. Heintzelman ordered the troops to return to their encampments.—(Doc. 154.)

—This afternoon six companies of the Fifth regiment N. Y. S. V., or New York Zouaves, left their encampment at Federal Hill, near Baltimore, and took the steamer Pocahontas, for Salisbury, Md. They were commanded by Col. Governeur K. Warren.—Baltimore American, November 13.

—Several new military departments were defined by general order as follows: The Department of New Mexico is to be commanded by Col. E. R. S. Canby; the Department of Kansas, including Kansas, part of the Indian Territory, Nebraska, Colorado, and Dakota, is to be commanded by Maj.-Gen. Hunter; the Department of Missouri, including Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky west of the Cumberland River, is to be commanded by Maj.-Gen. Halleck; the Department of Ohio, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky east of the Cumberland River, and Tennessee, is to be commanded by Brig.-Gen. Buell; the Department of Western Virginia, including that portion of the State lately in the old Department of Ohio, is to be commanded by Brig.-Gen. Rosecrans.—N. Y. Tribune, November 13.

—An attack was made on the vessels of the United States fleet, in the Mississippi River, at the head of the Passes, by the steam ram Manassas, accompanied and assisted by the Calhoun, three guns; the Joy, two guns; the Jackson, two guns; the McRae, six guns; the Tuscarora, three guns; and the Pickens, five guns. These vessels were under command of Capt. Hollins. The Manassas, armed with a false prow, approached the U. S. ship Richmond, at three A. M., and by the force of the concussion broke a hole a foot square into the Richmond’s bow, near the water line. She then made for the Vincennes, which ship evaded her. A brisk fire was opened upon the Manassas from the Richmond and the Preble, and deranged her machinery. Signals were then sent up from the Manassas, and several fire-ships were let loose above, and came down the current of the river with the other vessels of the rebel fleet behind. In their endeavors to evade the fire-ships, the Vincennes and Richmond both got aground. Some attempt was made by the rebels to press the attack upon the vessels aground, but they were beaten off without difficulty.— (Doc. 155.)

—One of the police guard of Alexandria, Va., arrested a little girl, to-day, who wore a red and white cape, alleging that the colors of the cape were obnoxious. The mother of the girl accompanied her to the office of the Provost-Marshal, where she stated that the article of dress had been made four years since. Capt. Griffith promptly ordered the release of the little lass, and directed the guard to devote his attention in future to weightier matters than the clothing of children.—Alexandria News.

—Capt. John Brown’s company of sharpshooters arrived at Camp Jennison, Kansas City, Mo., and were attached to the command of Colonel Jennison.—(Doc. 160.)

—The privateer schooner Beauregard, of Charleston, S. C., Capt. Hay, was captured one hundred miles east-northeast of Abaco, by the W. G. Anderson, U. S. Navy, Lieut. W. C. Rogers commanding.—(Doc. 156.)

— By general order issued this day, all officers appointed on the staff of Gen. Fremont, from civil life, were dismissed the service; and all of his appointments not hitherto sanctioned by the President were cancelled.

November 11.—At Columbus, Ky., a Dahlgren gun exploded, killing two lieutenants and six privates. General Polk narrowly escaped. A portion of his clothes were torn off.—N. Y. Evening Post, November 14.

—One Hundred And Tnx men of the Kansas Jayhawkers, under Col. Anthony, attacked a rebel camp on the Little Blue, near Kansas City, defeated the rebels, and captured a large number of horses. The Federal loss was eight killed and eight wounded. The rebel loss is not known.—(Doc. 151.)

—The Richmond Enquirer gives the subjoined list of property subject to the war tax in the South:

“Real estate, including all lands and estates therein, with ferries, bridges, and mines; slaves of all ages; merchandise, of all kinds, for sale, except agricultural products of the country; bank stock, except such as may be returned the bank, by its proper officer; railroad and other corporate stock; money at interest, including bills and all notes and securities bearing interest, except Confederate bends; cash on hand or deposit, in bank or elsewhere; cattle, horses, and mules, raised or held for sale; gold watches; gold and silver plate; pianos, and pleasure carriages.”

—The Twenty-third Massachusetts regiment, Col. John Kurtz, left Boston, via Fall River and New York, for Annapolis.—The obsequies of Col. Baker, killed at Ball’s Bluff, took place in New York City. At eleven A. M., the procession consisting of the Seventy-first regiment N. Y. S. M., with full band and drum corps, the staff of the First Division, and numerous residents of Philadelphia, Washington, and the city, hailing from the Pacific slope of the Republic, marched down Broadway, and by Battery Place and West street to Pier No. 8, North River, where the body was received on board the steamer Northern Light, which shortly afterward sailed for the Isthmus of Panama, whence the remains were conveyed to their last resting-place, near San Francisco. Flags were at half-mast on the City Hall and other public buildings, and the whole scene was very impressive.—N. Y. Times, November 12.

—A Grand torch-light procession, in honor of General McClellan, took place at Washington. The entertainment was planned by General Blenker’s division. The procession, after passing the President’s house, halted at that of General McClellan, and serenaded the General. Speeches were delivered by Secretary Cameron, Mr. Seward, and Gen. Blenker, after which the procession moved through the city and across the Potomac.—A reconnoissance was made by Col. Weber in the direction of New Market bridge, near Fortress Monroe. The rebels were met in some force, but were compelled to retire with a loss of two killed and several wounded. —N. Y. Commercial, November 18.

—The Fifty-second N. Y. regiment, Col. Paul Frank, left its encampment on Staten Island, and proceeded to Amboy on its way to Washington. The regiment numbers nearly a thousand men, all of whom are thoroughly uniformed, armed, and equipped.—N. Y. Times, Nov. 12.

—Within the last ten days over fourteen thousand soldiers have been entertained at the Volunteer Refreshment Saloons, in Philadelphia, Pa. From the 2d to the 8th inst., nine thousand and seventeen troops were transported over the Camden and Amboy, and Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad to the South.—Philadelphia Ledger, November 9.

—Guyandotte in Western Virginia, the scene of the massacre of a number of men of the Ninth Virginia regiment, was burned by two hundred men of the Fifth Virginia regiment.— Wheeling Intelligencer, Nov. 14.

—Col. Graham, of the Excelsior Brigade, crossed the Potomac at Matthias Point with five hundred men, and made a reconnoissance. He found no enemy or batteries at the point, and saw but one rebel picket, who was killed by one of the advance pickets because he attempted to run away. The rebels were in force some nine miles in the interior, but refused to offer battle to the reconnoitring party. Much forage for rebel cavalry was destroyed. The troops returned to their encampment, near Port Tobacco, on the Maryland shore, without the loss of a single man. Subsequent to their return they learned that, at Boyd’s Hole, only a few miles below, the rebels had a battery of six heavy guns, which it was believed the forces could have taken had they been aware of the fact when they were on the Virginia shore.— (Doc. 152.)

November 10.—Captain Gillespie’s cavalry surrounded a body of Lincolnites in Paw Paw Hollow, Sevier County, Tenn., and captured twenty-five of them.—Knoxville Register, Nov. 11.

—Major-general Halleck, lately arrived from California, was appointed to the command of the Military Department of the West, in place of General Fremont, and General Buell, of Ohio, an efficient army officer who can point to a brilliant record, was put in charge of Kentucky, in place of General Sherman, resigned. These two men are in the prime of life—about forty years of age—and their antecedents warrant the expectations that there will be no more mistakes in the Western section.—N. Y. Herald, November 11.

—The New Orleans Crescent has the following: “Unfortunately the resources of the Hessian Government of Lincoln have been underrated. It is now nearly six months since a vessel entered the port of New Orleans from a distant country. The same remarks will apply to Mobile and other ports on the gulf. Where a vessel with a cargo of merchandise has passed the Lincoln blockade, twenty passed the blockade in the war of 1812. Flour from Spain can be delivered via Havana, at our levee, at eight to ten dollars per barrel, such as we ourselves paid yesterday eighteen dollars for.”

—Captain H. H. Miller, of the Twelfth Miss, regiment, informs the Lynchburg Virginian that on this day he, with twenty-two Virginians, attacked three hundred Union men in East Tennessee, at Taylor’s Ford, on the Watauga River, killed nine, wounded seven, and withdrew without loss.—(Doc. 146.)

—Lots were drawn by the United State prisoners in Richmond, Va., which should stand as a hostage for Smith, convicted of piracy in Philadelphia. Col. Corcoran was designated. Thirteen others were set apart as hostages for the men taken on the privateer Savannah.—(Doc. 147.)

—A band of rebels, armed and mounted, broke open and plundered the store of a loyal citizen, at Clark’s Station, seven miles east of Tipton, Mo., to-night. Col. Deitzler, on hearing of it, sent a squad of cavalry, under command of Lieut. Shriver, from the First Iowa regiment, in pursuit. All the gang but one were captured, and the property recovered.—(Doc. 148.)

—Gen. Benham, with his brigade, crossed the Kanawha River near the mouth of Loup Creek, Western Virginia, and marched forward on the road to Fayetteville Court House, to get in the rear of the rebel army under Floyd, on Cotton Hill, at the junction of the New, Gauley and Kanawha Rivers.—Part of Gen. Cox’s brigade at the same time crossed the New River near Gauley, and attacked Floyd’s force in front. After a slight skirmish, the rebels fell back to Dickenson’s Farm, four miles, and at night retreated toward Raleigh.—(Doc. 149.)

—One Hundred and Fifty Union men of the Ninth Virginia regiment were surprised by seven hundred rebels under one Jenkins, at Guyandotte, in Western Virginia, and all killed or taken prisoners. Apparently the surprise was effected by the treachery of the inhabitants of the town, as when it was made the soldiers were scattered all over the place at houses to which they had been invited with the appearance of hospitality.—(Doc. 150.)

November 9.—General Nelson again attacked the enemy at Piketon. At about ten A. M., they made an unconditional surrender. Their loss was four hundred in killed and wounded, and by their surrender the Nationals were left with two thousand prisoners.

—The Union men of East Tennessee burned a number of railroad bridges and the telegraph wires to prevent the transportation of troops. One bridge, of two hundred feet span, was destroyed on the East Tennessee railroad. Four structures on the line north of Knoxville were entirely demolished. A very heavy wooden bridge at Charleston, Bradley Co., Tennessee, was destroyed. Charleston is seventy-five miles southwest of Knoxville, and contains two hundred inhabitants.—N. Y. Commercial Nov. 13.

—The Richmond Whig, of to-day, says that the Confederate army in Virginia is reorganized. The State is constituted a department, comprising the three armies of the Potomac, the Valley and Acquia, under the chief command of General Johnston. General Beauregard commands the army of the Potomac, General Thomas Jackson that of the Valley, and General Holmes, Acquia, The army of the Potomac comprises four divisions: the first, including the Valley, under General Doren; second, G. W. Smith; third, General Longstreet; fourth, General Kirby Smith.

—A meeting of German citizens was held at Chicago, Ill., at which speeches were made by Caspar Butz and others, and resolutions sustaining the action of General Fremont were adopted.—(Doc. 142.)

—At the Lord Mayor’s dinner in London, England, the Chief Magistrate of that city proposed the “Foreign Ambassadors,” coupling the same with the name of Mr. Adams, the American Minister. That gentleman in his reply, stated that his mission was to promote and perpetuate the friendly relations of the two countries. Lord Palmerston said, although circumstances may, for a time, threaten to interfere with the supply of cotton, the temporary evil will be productive of permanent good. England would find in various portions of the globe a sure and ample supply, which would render her no more dependent. He stated that the country witnessed with affliction the lamentable differences among her American cousins; but added, it was not for her to pass judgment in their dispute. He expressed a hope of the speedy restoration of harmony and peace.— (Doc. 144.)

—The Atlanta (Ga.) Confederacy, of to-day, says: “Gen. Beauregard is a genuine patriot. How different from these who resign because every thing does not please them. His heart is as big as his country’s wants, and he nobly looks to meeting the demands of patriotism, and not to his own glory or preferment. All honor forever to his name, and to any man possessed of such a noble and unselfish nature. What next will the two or three journals do that have been trying to get up a difference between him and President Davis, and to force him to resign? Wonder if they will feel encouraged?”

—Christian Martin, an important witness on the part of the United States Government, in the trial of the Knights of the Golden Circle, at Cleveland, died at Marion, Ohio, to-day. His evidence was of great importance to the United States. His decease was quite sudden.—Louisville Journal, November 11.

—The Southern (Ga.) Confederacy, of this date, publishes an article urging the Legislature to pass such laws as will effectually stop the extortions of speculating men, who furnish the Southern army with food and clothing at the most exorbitant prices. “Such men,” it says, “have at heart their own interests more than the good of their fellow-mortals, and of the country,” and should be made to comply with the obligations and duties which extraordinary times, like the present, impose. It commends the action of the Governors of several Southern States, in condemning the systematic practice of defrauding the Confederate Government, and in calling the attention of the legislatures to the subject.—(Doc. 145.)

November 8.—The Charleston Mercury of this day has the following:

South Carolina began the war, and it is, perhaps, fitting, in the nature of things, that she should end it. The rage and hate of her enemies have precipitated them on her coast. They come to punish her for daring to assert her liberties and independence. Hence, as General Butler, of Massachusetts, says: “The war is to be illuminated by her burning cities and villages.” We have foreseen and have deprecated the wretched policy which has induced the invasion of the State. We have wished that it could have been otherwise, and that the redemption of Maryland and the protection of South Carolina had been accomplished by fighting on the banks of the Potomac.

But since all our efforts to shield South Carolina from invasion have failed, we await with cheerfulness the fate which is upon us. There are few calamities without some redeeming advantages to these who suffer. We can, and we will, make this invasion another occasion for illustrating the characteristics of Southern soldiers. “Let the invaders come” is the unanimous feeling of our people. Our Yankee enemies will, sooner or later, learn to their cost the difference between invaders for spoils and power, and defenders of their liberties, their native land. If they can take Charleston with twenty-five thousand men, let them have it We are unworthy to possess it; and it will be a fitting memorial—laid in, ashes—of our imbecility and base degeneracy.

But if, on the contrary, we shall give to every one of our invaders who shall remain on our soil a prison above it, or a grave beneath it, will it not end the contest? Carolinians, the great cause of the Confederacy rests on your arms. Strike for the independence of the Confederate States, your homes, and your native land. It has pleased God to place upon you the responsibility of closing, as He did that of commencing, this glorious war. Free and far let your names spread amongst the nations of the earth as one of the freest, bravest, and most enlightened people that has lived in the tide of time. Let us all, with one heart, repeat the noble sentiment of one of her dead sons: “It is better for South Carolina to be the cemetery of freemen than the home of slaves.”

—There were two military executions in the rebel army, at Pensacola, Florida: the one, a volunteer, shot for the killing of an orderly sergeant while in the discharge of his duty as an officer; the other, a regular, for the striking of a captain. He was said to have been a most excellent soldier, and at the time of committing the offence was crazed with liquor. He met his fate like a man.—Mobile Register, Nov. 11.

—At Washington, D. C., the new Minister Resident from Sweden and Norway, Edward Count Piper, was .presented to the President by the Secretary of State. He addressed the President as follows:

Mr. President: The King, my august sovereign, having vouchsafed to name me as his Minister Resident near the Government of the United States of America, I have the honor to deliver the letters which accredit me near you, Mr. President, in such a capacity. The King, my sovereign, having sincerely at heart the desire of maintaining the good relations which have at all times subsisted between his kingdom and the American Union, has ordered me to become near you, Mr. President, the organ medium of the sentiments of friendship which animate his Majesty, and of the value which his Majesty attaches to cultivating and cementing still more the relations so happily existing between the two Governments. Upon my heart, Mr. President, I shall be happy, if, during the period of my mission, I may be enabled to maintain and strengthen the bonds of perfect understanding which at all times, to the profit of international interests, have so happily united the two Governments, and I shall not fail, believe me, Mr. President, to give my entire zeal to contribute thereto.

To which the President replied:

Sir: I receive with great pleasure a Minister from Sweden. That pleasure is enhanced by the information which preceded your arrival here, that his Majesty, your sovereign, had selected you to fill the mission upon the grounds of your derivation from an ancestral stock identified with the most glorious era of your country’s noble history, and your own eminent social and political standing in Sweden. This country, sir, maintains, and means to maintain, the rights of human nature, and the capacity of men for self-government. The history of Sweden proves that this is the faith of the people of Sweden, and we know that it is the faith ad practice of their respected sovereign. Rest assured, therefore, that we shall be found always just and fraternal in our transactions with your Government, and that nothing will he omitted on my part to make your residence in this capital agreeable to yourself and satisfactory to your Government.

—The United States gunboat Rescue went up the Rappahannock River, as for as Urbanna Creek. Off the mouth of the creek, she captured a large schooner, from which she took off all her stores and movable property, and burnt her to the water’s edge. The Rescue was fired upon by a masked battery on shore. The fire was returned, and the rebels were completely shelled out. The commander of the Rescue occupied the entire day shelling every spot where were indications of the presence of rebel troops. Subsequently a small boat was seen crossing the river with three men. The Rescue’s boat was sent in pursuit, and captured the boat and two of the men, but the third managed to escape by jumping out and wading to the shore with a bag of letters.—(Doc. 132 and 138.)

—Five railroad bridges were burnt in East Tennessee by Unionists. Two on the Georgia state road, two on Chickamange Creek, Hamilton County, and one on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad on Hiawessee River, Bradley County. Five minutes after the guard passed through, the whole bridge was in flames. Two bridges on the East Tennessee and Georgia railroad on Lick Creek, Green County, and another on Holstein River, were also burned. The guard at Lick Creek were unarmed. They were overwhelmed, tied, and carried away and kept during the day. The bridge on Holstein River was not guarded. It was thought unnecessary to guard it, Sullivan County being strongly Southern in feeling. The bridge at Holstein River is at Strawberry Plains. In Jefferson County the bridge was fired, but the fire was put out by the people.

—The city of Savannah, Ga., was in a state of intense excitement. The news of the capture of the Walker battery on Hilton Head, and the arrival of retreating troops, among them many of the wounded, aroused the intensest feeling. Everybody was in the street, and large crowds collected around the news and telegraphic offices throughout the day until late at night. Families commenced packing up, and large numbers of females and children were sent from the city by the night train to the up-country. The efflux will probably continue, and upon the whole we think this portion of the population should not be present to embarrass the defensive preparations.—Savannah Republican, Nov. 9.

—It having been reported that there were sundry rebel batteries near Beaufort, which is about ten miles above Port Royal, the gunboats Seneca, Ottawa, and Pembina were detailed to go up and clear the way, if they, perchance, should find any thing to clear. They, however, ran the whole distance without encountering any opposition, or seeing any thing to lead to the belief that there were any masked guns along the river.

They found the village entirely deserted by white people, the only man remaining being too drunk to get away. There were a number of negroes remaining, however, who stated that the inhabitants had left in the utmost hurry, fearing the advent of the Yankees would be their immediate destruction. The slaves had broken open some houses for the purpose of plundering.

—Capt. Wilkes with the U. S. steam sloop of war San Jacinto, overhauled the English mail steamer Trent in the Bahama channel, and demanded the surrender of the rebel emissaries Mason and Slidell, passengers on beard that vessel. Resistance on the part of the Trent was impossible, as the San Jacinto was prepared to enforce the demand, and against the violent protest of the English captain the commissioners and their secretaries were transferred to the San Jacinto.—(Doc. 139.)

—The Court of Inquiry, in the case of Col. Miles, made its report. About fifty-eight witnesses were examined, and their evidence presents the most extraordinary conflict of testimony. Twenty-eight swear positively that they saw Col. Miles on the day of the battle of Bull Run, and that he was drunk. About twenty swear just as positively that they saw him within the hours alleged, and he was not drunk. After weighing the testimony, the Court gave the following decision:

First—That Col. J. B. Richardson was justified in applying the term drunkenness to Col. D. S. Miles’ condition about seven o’clock P. M., on the 21st of July last.

Second—That the evidence is clear that Col. Miles had been ill several days before July 21 last, was ill on that day; that the surgeon had prescribed medicines for him on the day of the battle; had prescribed for him small quantities of brandy. The Court, however, considers his illness as a very slight extenuation of the guilt attached to his condition about seven P. M., on July 21 last.

Opinion—The Court is of opinion that evidence cannot now be found sufficient to convict Col. Miles of drunkenness before a court-martial, and a court-martial cannot be convened for this trial without great inconvenience to the service, and recommends that no further proceedings be had. The proceedings were laid before the Major-General commanding, and approved to-day.—Baltimore American, Nov. 8.

—Governor Gamble, of Missouri, arranged with the President the organization of the militia of that State, to be employed in the defence of the State against invasion, and the suppression of rebellion within its limits. The number of troops to be raised is not specified, but they are to be mustered into the State service and be armed, equipped, clothed, subsisted, transported, and paid by the Government. Governor Gamble stipulates that there shall be but one major-general of the militia, and to secure unity of action, the general commanding the department of the West becomes also the major-general of the State Militia, by the appointment of Governor Gamble to the position. As many brigadier-generals are to be appointed as there are brigades of four regiments each, and the staff officers shall not be paid more than the same are allowed in the regular service, whatever be their rank under the State law. As the money to be disbursed in this service is the money of the United States, United States staff officers are to be assigned to make the expenditures, or if United States officers cannot be spared from the regular service to perform the duties, Governor Gamble will appoint from the State Militia such officers as the President shall designate.—Idem.

—Colonel Grensle reached Rolla, Missouri, on his return from an expedition against the rebels in Texas County, bringing nine prisoners, five hundred head of cattle, and forty horses and mules, the property of armed rebels. Among the prisoners are Spencer Mitchell, quartermaster, and Lieut.-Col. Tyler, inspector of Gen. McBride’s brigade. Before leaving Houston, the county town, Col. Grensle issued a proclamation to the effect that the rights and property of Union men must be respected.— (Doc. 140.)

—Colonel John S. Williams, with one thousand rebels at Piketon, Pike County, Ky., informed of the march of General Nelson against him, made every preparation for defence. At Prestonburg General Nelson had divided his command into two bodies. One of them, composed of the Ohio Thirty-third regiment and a few hundred irregular Kentuckians mounted, under command of Colonel Sill, was sent by a circuitous route to Piketon in the hope to take that place in the rear, and prevent a rebel retreat, while the main body under General Nelson advanced by the direct road along the Big Sandy River. Colonel Marshall’s Ohio regiment, the advance of Nelson’s main body, near four P. M. was ambuscaded by two hundred rebels in a very strong natural position, about twelve miles from Piketon, when a brisk fight took place, the enemy firing upon the Ohio troops from each side of the road; but after standing their ground for a time, they give way and scattered in the surrounding brash, making good their escape. Colonel Marshall’s loss was four men killed and twenty wounded. Some skirmishers of the enemy were met and driven in, at night, by the force under Colonel Sill. The rebels lost ten killed, fifteen wounded, and forty missing.—(Doc. 141.)

November 7.—Gens. Grant’s and McClernand’s forces landed at Belmont at eight A. M., were formed into line of battle and immediately attacked the rebel works. They were met by the rebels in force, under General Cheatham, whom, however, they drove to and through their camp, captured a battery of twelve guns, burned their camp, and took the rebel baggage, horses, and many prisoners. Large bodies of rebels crossed from Columbus and reinforced these at Belmont, when another severe fight took place, and the National forces withdrew to their boats. Their retreat was well covered by the gunboats.—(Doc. 133.)

—A large and influential meeting was held in Cooper Institute, at New York, to express sympathy for and take measures to furnish relief to these loyal inhabitants of North Carolina, who, deprived of their usual means of support, and overawed and crushed by rebels in arms, are reduced to great straits of suffering. The Hon. Geo. Bancroft presided. Eloquent addresses were made by the Chairman, by the Rev. M. N. Taylor, T. W. Conway, William Cullen Bryant, Gen. A. E. Burnside, Prof. Roswell C. Hitchcock, Dr. Lieber, the Rev. Dr. Tyng, and others. J. M. Morrison and W. E. Dodge, jr., were appointed to receive subscriptions and donations of supplies.

—The New York Second regiment of Light Artillery left their camp at Elm Park, Staten Wind, for the seat of war. Previous to its departure the regiment was presented with a stand of colors, the gift of Gen. Morgan, whose name the regiment bears.—The Fifty-eighth regiment N. Y. V., Col. W. Krzyzanowski, left New York city for the seat of war.

—Get. Hunter repudiated Gen. Fremont’s agreement with Price, in Missouri, and in report to head-quarters assigned his reasons to be —that it would render the enforcement of martial law impossible, give absolute liberty to the propagandists of treason, and practically annul the confiscation act.—(Doc. 134.)

—Two Federal gunboats went up the Cumberland River together as far as Tobacco Port, eight miles below Fort Donelson, Tenn., when one of them proceeded up the river within three miles of the fort, and lay there under the point ten minutes. She fired three cannon, and then started back down the river to Tobacco Port —Nashville Gazette, November 10.

—At a meeting of the merchants of Santa Fé, New Mexico, it was resolved that they would indorse for the National Government to any amount that may be advanced to the territory. This action was taken in consequence of the scarcity of coin, which has heretofore made up the circulating medium in the transactions of business, and has, from some cause, almost entirely disappeared.—N. Y. World, Nov. 29.

—The New York Chamber of Commerce, upon the occasion of the retirement of Gen. Scott, adopted a series of resolutions highly appreciative of his great services.—(Doc. 135.)

—This day a battery of two rifled cannon was opened from Gen. Rosecrans’ position on the New River, Va., and silenced the rebel battery opposite on Cotton Hill. The rebel battery thus silenced had been opened on the 30th ult., and by its command of the only road by which Gen. Rosecrans’ position could be reached from Gauley Bridge, it had maintained a siege ever since, and supply trains previously run at all hours had been run only at night. By its silence the “siege” thus established was raised. —(Doc. 136.)

—The United States fleet, under command of Commodore S. F. DuPont, achieved a great victory to-day on the coast of South Carolina. The expedition arrived off Port Royal harbor, S. C., last Sunday evening, Nov. 3. The next morning, the Vixen and Mercury, with several gunboats, entered the harbor to take soundings, and were attacked by the rebel battery on Bay Point, known as Fort Beauregard, assisted by five rebel steamers, under command of Commodore Josiah Tatnall. A skirmish ensued, lasting till darkness came on. The following morning, Nov. 5, the whole National fleet went inside, and seven gunboats went up to make a reconnoissance and discover the location of the rebel batteries by drawing their fire. In this they were successful, and consequently withdrew at about nine o’clock. In the afternoon the heavy men-of-war moved inward to get into position, but the Wabash grounded, where she remained for an hour and a half. This circumstance postponed the general engagement. On Wednesday, the 6th, the day was stormy and unfavorable, and a council of war decided to “wait a little longer.”

This morning, at nine o’clock, the fleet got under way, and soon after the rebels opened fire. The Wabash gave one broadside to Fort Walker, on Hilton Head, and another to Fort Beauregard, on Bay Point. The rebel navy also opened fire, but kept at a distance from the big guns of the National ships. The Wabash, Susquehanna, and Bienville swept down in line, and “delivered their compliments at Hilton Head, in the shape of ten-second shells, while the lively gunboats put in the punctuation points for the benefit of the rebel commodore,” at the same time enfilading the two batteries. The firing was now incessant, and a perfect shower of shot and shell fell inside the rebel forts. At noon, the three ships above named came down, and poured full broadsides into the two forts, the gunboats keeping their positions, and doing excellent service. The flag-ship, the Susquehanna, and Bienville went within six hundred yards, and made terrible havoc with their five-second shells, silencing several of the rebels’ guns. This fire was continued for four hours, during which the National fleet delivered over two thousand rounds. The rebels fought with desperation, and inflicted considerable damage on the National vessels, nearly all of which were hit by shots. At three o’clock P. M. the guns of the enemy had been dismounted or silenced, and Commander John Rogers went on shore at Fort Walker, found it vacated, and hoisted the Stars and Stripes. A considerable number of killed and wounded were discovered, and it was estimated that the rebels must have suffered a loss of at least one hundred men killed and an equal number severely wounded. The rebels fled in the greatest confusion, leaving every thing in their tents, even to their swords, watches, private papers, and clothing. The loss on board of the National fleet was eight killed, and six severely and seventeen slightly wounded. Not one of the National vessels was disabled or destroyed, though several of them were badly cut up.— (Docs. 36 and 137.)