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

November 5.—Parker H. French, alias Lieut. Carlisle Murray, alias Charles Maxy, who had been travelling in various parts of the West and North, for the purpose chiefly of organizing the order known as the Knights of the Golden Circle, was arrested in Branford, Connecticut, by the superintendent of the Government detective police from Washington and detective Franklin, of Philadelphia. He had been in Branford and vicinity for some weeks, under the alias of Maxy, had organized a lodge of “Knights,” and had succeeded in estranging many from loyalty to the Government. The Boston Post says: “In his possession were found the Constitution and By-Laws of the Golden Circle, and entire authority from parties at the South for organizing the institution. He also had many other documents of interest and importance. Among them were letters purporting to be from Jeff. Davis, Emerson Etheridge, Parson Brownlow, and others, most of which are doubtless forgeries. He is believed to have had much genuine correspondence with influential secessionists. French was one of Walker’s right-hand men in the Nicaraguan affair. Through a forged letter in the name of Parson Brownlow, he obtained the sum of one thousand dollars from Amos Lawrence, of this city, the money being given in support of the Parson’s somewhat famous paper. He has figured in various schemes of villany, particularly in California.” French was sent to Fort Warren.—National Intelligencer, November 9.

—Brig.-Gen. W. Nelson, in command of the Union forces, occupied Prestonburg, Ky., and proclaimed the jurisdiction of the State and protection to the civil authorities.—(Doc. 131.)

November 4.—The Richmond Enquirer of to-day, has the following:—Our summary of news from the North is of more interest to-day than usual. The sailing orders of the great naval expedition will attract especial attention. Speculation will now soon be at an end; and perhaps before these lines shall be printed the telegraph will tell us where the blow has fallen. After reading these orders, however, we cannot join in the opinion which to some extent prevails, that the contemplated landing is intended on any comparatively secluded and undefended spot. If this great force is to take possession of some sand bar, or marshy island, or sea-coast village, why such strict injunction that the expedition should sail in a body and the soldiers land in such heavy array, and with the admonition that their courage will probably be tested? If we judge these orders by the ordinary rules, and in connection with the Northern beasts that a terrible blow is to be struck, and at our very vitals, we cannot but conclude that it is expected to debark either in the vicinity of a strong Confederate army or of a large Confederate city. Applying these tests, Pensacola and Charleston, and Savannah and New Orleans are the points which present themselves to our mind. There is something so absurd in the injunction to keep the expedition close together, and to land in a long line of boats, and with elaborate preparations, for the capturing Sand Point or Mosquito Bar, or Alligator Inlet, that it is difficult to conceive that the Northern Generals would thus make themselves ridiculous.

If the expedition attempt to land at an important point, we hope that our force would be sufficient for their repulse. If among the pines and swamps, they will have committed, a great folly, and injured themselves, not us. We are not, however, without other hopes. The winds have been howling, and the clouds have been pooling out their floods. We confess it—the blast of the storm has sounded in our ears like sweetest music. It has made us think of the Spanish armada, that sailed in great pomp, on grand design, but was dispersed by the winds, and vanquished without meeting an enemy. Who knows but that stormy Hatteras was created for such a time as this? Who can tell but that the rocks and sands of the Florida coast shall prove the instruments of Providence to punish the wickedness of man? The grand fleet sailed on Tuesday, the 29th. On Friday afternoon the storm commenced. Three days had thus elapsed. Where the fleet had got to— whether the storm there raged, and whether it claimed its prey—we have yet to learn. But, whether by the winds of Heaven, or by the blessing of Heaven on Southern valor, we trust soon to be able to announce that the fleet which sailed from Hampton Roads is a fleet that shall never more return, unless, indeed, under another flag.

—Tins Sixtieth regiment of New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel William B. Hayward, passed through New York for Washington. This regiment was recruited in St. Lawrence County, is one thousand strong, and is composed of hardy farmers. Before leaving New York, they were presented with a regimental flag by Mrs. A. T. Stewart.—New York Herald, November 6th.

—Adjutant Carpenter, of the Second Tennessee regiment, absent from his camp near Boston, Whitely County, Ky., learned when on his way to return that a band of rebels had secured the mountain pass, and that he must either abandon his horse, and go on foot through the by-paths, or fight. Returning to Boston, he gathered together twenty-two Home Guards, fourteen of whom remained steadfast to their purpose; and creeping up the mountain gorge at midnight, they shot the sentinel, alarmed the rebels, who tumbled out of the house and sprang to their saddles, eight of which were emptied in a moment, and with three of their horses the Adjutant galloped off, bringing them safe into camp.—Cincinnati Gazette.

—Barboursville, Kentucky, was taken possession of by a picket of the Federal army, amounting to fifteen hundred men. They entered the town in the evening, and hoisted the Stars and Stripes without opposition.—Cincinnati Times, November 12.

—The expedition, under Col. Dodge, which left Rolla, Missouri, in quest of ex-Judge Freeman’s band of marauding rebels, took possession of Houston, Texas County, and captured a large amount of rebel property and several prominent secessionists, including some officers of the rebel army. A large mail for the rebel army was also captured, containing information of the position of the entire rebel force in Missouri.— St. Louis Democrat, November 7.

—An enthusiastic mass meeting of the Union citizens of Baltimore County, Md., was held at Calverton, at which Reverdy Johnson delivered an eloquent defence of the Constitution and the laws. Like all that has proceeded from him on the subject of the present national troubles, it breathes a spirit of ardent devotion to the Union, in its hour of peril.—(Doc. 130.)

November 3.—The ladies of Springfield, Mo., presented a flag to the Prairie Scouts, commanded by Major Frank J. White. They desired also to present one to Fremont’s body-guard, but it was declined, on behalf of the Guard, by Major Zagonyi in a letter, whose tenor is that the honor was rendered valueless to the Guard by its being at the same time conferred upon the Scouts.— (Doc. 128.)

—Lieut. Alfred Kantz, of the steamer Flag, taken prisoner by the Confederates, arrived at Washington, D. C., having been liberated on parole, to make arrangements for the exchange of the Federal prisoners at Richmond. He represented them there as suffering from an insufficiency of clothing and other necessaries.— Baltimore American, November 4.

—The Columbia South Carolinian, of this date, has the following:—”One hundred and fifty of Lincoln’s mercenaries, part of the second grand army of Washington, arrived yesterday from Richmond, and are quartered for safe keeping in our district jail. Coming to destroy our property, our people, and our liberty, they have been foiled in the effort, and lost their own freedom. They have learned a lesson of wisdom, and no doubt found that they were mistaken in entering a crusade for the subjugation of a race of people who are their superiors. They are here a degraded herd, and unworthy of sympathy or commiseration. Every one deserves to be shot, and the chances of liberation taken from him. We trust they will be entirely isolated from all external communication, and looked upon as John Brown’s men, as they are. The prisoners were under the charge of Lieutenant Porter, C. S. A., and a detachment of fifty-six men from the Charlotte Greys, under command of Lieutenant T. S. Henry. There are many boys among them, and they are generally a rough-looking set.”

—General Hunter arrived at Springfield, Mo., and assumed command of the forces previously under General Fremont.—Nea York Herald, November 5.

—Gen. Beauregard wrote a letter to the editors of the Richmond Whig, in relation to the controversy upon the publication of a synopsis of his report of the battle of Manassas. He entreats his friends “not to trouble themselves about slanders or calumnies aimed against him,” and declares his intention to return to private life after having assisted to the best of his ability in securing Southern independence.—(Doc. 129.)

November 2.—The British brig Ariel arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., in charge of a prize crew. She was from Liverpool, bound to Charleston, with a cargo of salt. She was captured off Frying Pan Shoals, while trying to run the blockade of Charleston, by the gunboat Gemsbok.—Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 4.

—General McClellan was presented with a sword by the city councils of Philadelphia to-day, at his residence in Washington. In responding to the presentation address General McClellan said:

I ask you, sir, to give my warmest and deep thanks to the honerable body you represent for this entirely unmerited compliment. I could thank you better if I thought that I deserved it, but I do not feel that I do. Nothing that I have yet accomplished would warrant this high compliment. It is for the future to determine whether I shall realize the expectations and hopes that have been centred in me. I trust and feel that the day is not far distant when I shall return to the place dearest of all others to me, there to spend the balance of my life among the people from whom I have received this beautiful gift. The war cannot last long. It may be desperate. I ask in the future, forbearance, patience, and confidence. With these we can accomplish all; and while I know that, in the great drama which may have our hearts’ blood, Pennsylvania will not play the least, I trust that, on the other hand, she will play the highest and noblest part.

I again thank you, and ask you to convey to the councils my most sincere thanks for the sword. Say to them that it will be my ambition to deserve it hereafter. I know I do not now.

—The Twenty-seventh Massachusetts regiment, under the command of Colonel H. C. Lee, left Springfield at two o’clock to-day for Hudson, where they took the steamer Connecticut for New York, at seven o’clock in the evening.—Springfield Republican, Nov. 4.

—The British steamer Bermuda, with a cargo of eighteen hundred bales of cotton, ran the blockade from Savannah, Ga. About eight o’clock she weighed anchor, proceeded down the stream, and finding all things favorable, made a clear and triumphant exit over the bar. She cleared for Havre.—Savannah Republican, Nov. 4.

—The Charleston (S. C.) Mercury, of this date, says: The trial of our privateersmen for piracy, in New York and Philadelphia, our readers have noticed, among other intelligence published. It is a subject that must stir the gall of every earnest man in the Confederate States. In the deficiency of a navy proper, these gallant men, commissioned by our Government our militia of the sea, have gone forth to punish our enemy to the extent of their ability. It has been our only naval resource, and accords with the laws and customs of nations. It is a right which the United States freely exercised in the last war against Great Britain, and within a few years peremptorily refused to waive by treaty stipulation. But now, because it bears disagreeably upon their commerce, the practice is denounced by the United States, and our captured privateersmen are subjected to the ignominious treatment of common felons. Paraded in chains through the streets of Northern cities, for the gaze of the hostile rabble, they are put into the wretched dungeons of “the Tombs,” surrounded by filth and vermin. Here for long months they are kept, that confinement and anxiety may prey upon their health, and that wounded self-respect may fret their hearts in the torture of humiliation. They are now dragged forth, before the public gaze of our infuriated enemies, to be tried for their lives as the worst of criminals—enemies to the whole human race. These are the men whom we have sent forth to fight our battles, under the broad seal of our country; and this is the treatment which they have met with as prisoners, at the hands of our enemies—the Yankees.

The law of retaliation is retributive justice, used for self-protection. It is a law wholesome in its operation against those whom no argument of propriety can convince, no plea of humanity or justice affect. It is logical and touchingly effective. It speaks with more power than the voice of reason. It is more convincing than precedent and law, and hard, dry logic. It has a voice to charm and to be heeded.

The Yankee prisoners in South Carolina are in jail in close confinement. There they will abide the issue of the trials of our privateersmen at the North. Should one drop of Southern blood be shed by Northern courts, for defending the South on the seas, it will be paid for with interest in Charleston. Self-protection, and the enforcement of the laws of nations and of humanity, alike require, in this instance, full and ample retaliation. It is a matter of high State policy, which must and will assuredly be carried out.

—General Fremont received, at Springfield, Mo., an unconditional order from Washington, relieving him at once from his command; and newspapers, with the announcement of his removal, reached Springfield at the same time.

The intelligence spread rapidly through the camps, and created considerable excitement. Feeling ran high, especially in the General’s body-guard.

Although, after notifying General Hunter, as his order directed, he had no longer command over the troops, General Fremont spent several hours in making a personal examination of the grounds about the city to be prepared for a battle; and, in accordance with a written request from all the brigadier-generals, he remained through the night, to lead the army in case of an attack, which it was thought possible might be made.

General Fremont issued an order, in which he took leave of the army with many expressions of regret.—(Doc. 126.)

—A Skirmish took place about six miles east of Leavenworth, Mo., between a small force of Missouri militia, under Major Josephs, and one hundred and fifty rebels. The latter were dispersed, with a small loss.—National Intelligencer, November 6.

—The Charleston (S. C.) Mercury, of to-day, contains the following:—”In view, probably, of the expected visit of the Yankee armada, Gen. Anderson, commander of North Carolina coast defences, has called on the authorities for the assembling of the militia of Brunswick County, at Smithville, and of New Hanover, at Wilmington, without delay. Every man is requested to bring such arms and ammunition as he can procure, and come quick.”

—In a letter of this date to the U. S. Secretary of State, Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, criticizes somewhat sharply the Secretary’s circular on coast defences. He can do nothing, he says, until authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature, which will not meet until after Congress has met; and he does not see that he should call an extra session, as the Secretary assures him that “the prospect of disturbance is now less serious than it has been at any time since the insurrection began.” Since, then, the duty properly belongs to Congress, why not leave it with Congress?—(Doc. 127.)

—Capt. John A. Thompson, A. D. C. on Gen. Fremont’s Staff, accompanied by Mr. Teed, Lieutenant Tosk, and Sergeant Carlton, left General Fremont’s camp, at Springfield, for the headquarters of General Price, in order to effect an exchange of prisoners, and complete the arrangements for the future conduct of the war in Missouri.—St. Louis Democrat, November 10.

—To-day was published an address to the people of Tennessee, by Gov. Harris, calling upon them to furnish every double-barrel shot-gun and rifle they have to arm the troops now offering their service. He says the State must aid to the full extent of her resources. Her soil shall be protected. He calls upon Tennesseeans to exhaust every resource of the State before the foot of the invader shall pollute the soil of Tennessee.—Baltimore American, Nov. 16.

—The Charleston Mercury, of this date, contains the following:—”In view of the especial malignity exhibited by the North toward the Palmetto State in general, and toward Charleston in particular, we are happy to announce that all our defences are now in perfect order, and that General Ripley is ready, if not anxious, to give the invaders a warm reception. Yesterday the families residing on Sullivan’s Island received notice to remove. In the event of an attack they might have greatly embarrassed our forces. We also hear, on good authority, that a series of obstructions, of a somewhat unusual character, have been placed across the harbor entrance. We don’t envy the occupants of any hostile vessel that, entangled in these obstructions, may be subjected to the cross-fire of the big Columbiads, Dahlgrens, and rifled guns of the batteries of forts Moultrie and Sumter.

November 1.—Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, in a letter to the Secretary of War, dated October 31, having requested that his name might “be placed on the list of Army Officers retired from active service,” a special Cabinet Council was convened, and decided that Gen. Scott’s request, in view of his advanced age and infirmities, could not be refused; and his name was accordingly so placed, “without reduction in his current pay, subsistence, or allowances.” Major-General George B. McClellan was thereupon appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, to succeed Gen. Scott, and assumed the position in a general order, in which he expresses his regret “that the weight of many years, and the effect of increasing infirmities, contracted and intensified in his country’s service, should just now remove from our head the great soldier of our nation.” (Doc. 122.)

—Colonel Mulligan, made prisoner by the rebels at the capture of Lexington, was exchanged.—St. Louis Democrat, Nov. 3.

—The Federal prisoners at Charleston were removed from Castle Pinckney. Along the whole line of march, the streets were thronged with a motley crowd of people, juveniles, and darkies. Great eagerness was expressed to see the officers, especially Colonel Corcoran, late of the New York Sixty-ninth regiment. The privates were indeed a sorrowful-looking set, but seemed in quite good humor; and many of them carried along on their shoulders their chairs, chess beards, and other similar conveniences, which they had extemporized during their stay at Castle Pinckney.—Charleston Mercury, Nov. 2.

—The Tenth regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Charles H. Russell, passed through New York.

—Lieutenant-Colonel Morse, with four hundred cavalry, surprised a rebel camp, eight hundred strong, near Renick, Randolph County, Mo., and drove out the rebels in complete rout. —(Doc. 123.)

—Some scouts from the Second Kentucky regiment, under Captain Wheeler, reported to Gen. Rosecrans, the rebels in considerable force on the west side of New River, some few miles above Gauley Bridge, in Virginia.

Shortly after Captain Wheeler’s return, two batteries were opened upon the National troops in the vicinity of Gauley Bridge from the hills on the opposite side of the river—one directly opposite the bridge, and the other two miles lower down, at the falls of the Kanawha, opposite a large brick house in which commissary’s supplies were stored. These batteries played away nearly all day, the commissary’s quarters affording them a fine mark; but so bad was their firing, they did not strike the building once! In almost every instance their balls and shell fell short. The upper battery, after wasting a good deal of ammunition, succeeded in driving the Eleventh Ohio from their camp on the hillside opposite, and in sinking a flat-boat, which served the army as a ferry. This was the extent of the damage done. Not a man was killed, and the flat-boat was raised again the same evening, and made to do good service that night.

It was not till the day had far advanced that the National artillery could be brought to bear upon the rebel batteries. The rifled guns were all at the various camps up New River; but when they were once placed in position, it was not long until both the rebel batteries were silenced. A train of wagons, on its way from Gauley Bridge to the encampments above, was fired upon the same day, when five or six miles up the river, by rebel infantry, and two of the Nationals were wounded. Three companies from General Benham’s camp, at Hawk’s Nest, came to their relief, and soon drove the enemy back of the hills.—Cincinnati Gazette, Nov. 5

—An important proclamation relating to the coming election in Maryland, was issued by General Dix. It having been understood that persons formerly residing in the State, but who had recently been bearing arms against the United States Government, had returned with the intention of taking part in the election, with the purpose of carrying out treasonable designs, General Dix ordered the United States Marshal of Maryland and the Provost-Marshal of Baltimore to arrest all such persons; and he further directed the election judges throughout the State to detain all such persons who might present themselves at the polls, until they could be taken into custody by the proper authorities.— (Doc. 124.)

—Since the Twentieth and Twenty-first regiments have been in camp near Griffin, Pike County, Georgia, the measles and typhoid fever have broke out among them. There are now over two hundred on the sick list and several have died. Two large buildings have been set apart as hospitals, and the sick receive the daily attentions of the benevolent ladies of Griffin.— Griffin Union, Nov. 1.

—General Fremont signed, at Springfield, Mo., an agreement entered into with two commissioners, on the part of the rebel General Price, “to facilitate the future exchange of prisoners of war,” and which provides, “that all persons heretofore arrested for the mere expression of political opinions, may be released from confinement on parole; also, that in future the war be confined exclusively to the armies in the field.” —(Doc. 125.)

October 31.—A skirmish occurred at Morgantown on Green River, Ky., between a Union force under Colonel McHenry and a party of rebels belonging to Buckner’s camp, in which the latter were driven across the river with some loss.—The camp occupied by the Indiana regiments, on the farm of Jesse D. Bright at Jeffersonville, is called Camp Jo Wright, in homer of ex-Governor Wright—Cincinnati Gazette, Nov. 8.

—The Twenty-fifth regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers left Camp Lincoln, at Worcester, for the seat of war. The regiment is commanded by Colonel Edwin Upton, of Fitchburg, and numbers one thousand and thirty men, well equipped, and armed with the Enfield rifle.—All the rebel prisoners in Fort Lafayette, New York harbor, were removed to Fort Warren, near Boston.

October 30.—At Worcester, England, the Conservative Association celebrated its anniversary by a dinner at the Shire Hall. About six hundred persons attended, the hall and anteroom being crowded to inconvenience. The chair was taken by Sir E. A. H. Lechmere. “The House of Lords” having been proposed by Captain Candler, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbet responded. The House of Lords, he said, was an institution highly valued, and, if he might be allowed to say so, deservedly esteemed by the nation. It had often been said by noisy democrats and clamorous republicans, that the House of Lords was of no use. Reference had been made by previous speakers to the unhappy contention that was going on on the other side of the Atlantic. (Hear.) In America they saw democracy on its trial, and they saw how it failed. (Hear.) He was afraid the result would show that the separation of the two great sections of that country was inevitable, and these who lived long enough would, in his opinion, see an aristocracy established in America. He would not say an aristocracy of dukes and earls, but an aristocracy of some sort or other, so great was the necessity of having a middle state between democracy and despotism. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the present Government, he said they had kept themselves in power by advocating one set of principles and practising another. Lord Palmerston had been connected with every party that had been in office in his time, and he likened him to a successful political Blondin— (laughter)—who from his political tight rope looked down from the giddiest heights, only caring to keep himself where he was.—London Times, November 1.

—The Fifty-first New York regiment, Colonel Ferrero, left New York City for Washington.—N. Y. Times, Oct. 31.

—The schooner Elite, which left Savannah with a cargo of naval stores, bound for Havana, and was stranded off Warsaw beach while going out, was visited by three launches, from a U. S. steamer, with about one hundred and fifty men and one howitzer or mortar, to take possession of or burn the wreck. Captain Anderson, in command of the forces on Warsaw Island, immediately sent out a considerable force from the intrenchments, ordering them through the woods to a point opposite the wreck, and within musket-shot of the boats, when the latter should reach their destination. The party lay in ambush until the launches got within reach, when they sallied out upon the beach and opened fire upon them. The salutation was returned with shells, and the firing was kept up for some time. When the boats commenced firing shell, Captain Anderson turned the guns of the fort upon them and kept up the fire until dark came on, though they were too far round the point of the island for the shots to be directed with accuracy.—Savannah Republican, November 1.

—Citations issued from the Court of Admiralty of the Confederate States, South Carolina, distinctly call upon all persons in general, except citizens of the United States, “who claim any interest in the brigs Betsy Ames and Granada, to show cause, if any they have, why the said vessels should not be condemned as lawful prizes of war.”—(Doc. 116.)

—John C. Breckinridge has published a manifesto to the people of Kentucky. It is dated at Bowling Green, and he says it is written at the first moment since his expulsion from home that he could place his feet on the soil of Kentucky. In it he resigns his seat as a member of the Senate of the United States, saying, “I exchange, with proud satisfaction, a term of six years in the United States Senate for the musket of a soldier.” The address is very long. He says, “there is no longer a Senate of the United States within the meaning and spirit of the Constitution”—”the United States no longer exists—the Union is dissolved.”— (Doc. 117.)

—A Letter, published in the National Intelligencer, at Washington, gives a circumstantial account of the cruise of the U. S. ship Powhattan in pursuit of the privateer Sumter, and a minute description of that vessel. Her crew is, the letter states, made up of men of all nations, the greater part being Portuguese, Spaniards, and English, and the writer expresses the opinion that she will finally turn pirate against all commerce.—(Doc. 119.)

October 29.—Col. Burbridge, with two hundred and fifty men, and two pieces of artillery, having marched from Owensbero, in Kentucky, to Morgantown, within eighteen miles of Bowling Green, crossed the river at Morgantown in presence of a body of rebels formed upon the bank, drove the rebels into the town of Woodbury, attacked them to the number of four hundred in their camp, routed them, and took possession of the camp, with equipage for five hundred men, and all their camp utensils; but as he had no means of transportation, the entire camp was burned.—(Doc. 113.)

—At a public meeting held at Woolwich, England, Mr. Salomon, M. P., said: “The civil war now raging in America is full of importance to this country, and ought to be condemned. The North is now attempting to dominate over the South. (Cries of ‘No, no.’) We have a right to criticize the dreadful state of affairs now prevailing in America, although it would be dangerous to do so on the other side of the Atlantic. It is a most diabolical quarrel, of which we hear more from the North than the South, because the South knows how to keep its own counsel. Whatever is the result of this conflict, America will suffer from it; and if the North is able to subjugate the South, it will change the government of the country, which will then become a despotism similar to Russia. At the outset of the contest the North did not endeavor by every means to come to a peaceable settlement. (Expressions of dissent.) Why, Mr. Buchanan remained in office for three months, and did nothing to promote such an object, but rather to stir up the strife; and now he comes forward and sounds his penny whistle to induce a vigorous prosecution of the war. It is, however, the true policy of this country not to interfere in the strife, although we all wish to see it ended, and the Americans again resume their position as a purely peaceable and commercial people.”—London Post, Oct. 30.

—Letters of this date from New Orleans, represent that city as completely ruined by the rebellion.—N. Y. Times, November 11.

—The Richmond Examiner of this date says: By this time our able representatives abroad, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, are pretty well on their way over the briny deep toward the shores of Europe. We commit no indiscretion in stating that they have embarked upon a vessel which will be abundantly able to protect them against most of the Yankee cruisers they may happen to meet, and the chances are consequently a hundred to one that they will reach their destination in safety. The malice of our Yankee enemies will thus be foiled, and the attempt to capture them fail of success. Great will be the mortification of the Yankees when they shall have learned this result. Our ministers did not choose to leave at any other port than one of our own, or under any but the Confederate flag.

We anticipate from Mr. Mason’s presence in England a very happy effect upon our interests in that quarter. Mr. Mason is, in his points of character, a very good representative of the best qualities of the English people. He is frank, bold, and straightforward, disdaining all concealments or evasions. His diplomacy will consist in telling the truth in the language of a gentleman and a statesman. As the representative of a name linked with the earlier ages of the American Republic, an ex-Senator of the United States for many years, and the honored servant of the Confederate Government, he will wield an influence abroad such as perhaps no other man could hope to enjoy. He is the very best man we could send abroad to show foreign nations that the Southerner is a different type altogether from the Yankee—that he scorns like the latter to lie, to evade or dissemble, to fawn, or play the bully and the braggart; that the despicable traits of avarice, meanness, cant, and vulgarity which enter into the universal idea of a Yankee, were left behind us when we seceded from the Lincoln Government. We are glad to be able to contrast such a gentleman with Charles Francis Adams, the Puritan representative of freedom at the Court of St. James, and he knows little of British character who is disposed to set a slight value upon the advantages derived from the personal character of a representative in this matter. We believe that at no distant day Mr. Mason will have the pleasure of signing a treaty of amity, on behalf of the Confederate States, with one of the oldest and greatest dynasties of Europe, and thus cement these relations of commerce upon which our future so largely depends.

—Yesterday forty-five “contrabands” were brought into Fortress Monroe. They came oat of the Rappahannock in boats, which were picked up by the tug Rescue. Their story was, that they escaped in order to avoid being sent to Richmond to be sold South. Today forty more contrabands were brought in, who had escaped from Gloucester, opposite Yorktown, where, according to their reports, great destitution exists.—National Intelligencer, November 6.

—Capt. Hunter of the Confederate steamer Curlew reports that on this day, when near the inner buoy at Hatteras Inlet, he was fired upon by two or three Union steamers and the fort; that he “sighted a rifled gun at the Harriet Lane” and fired, and that the fort and steamers continued to fire at him as rapidly as possible. We fired, he says, six shells and the stern gun at them five times. It is uncertain whether the enemy sustained any injury. The Vandals fired twenty-three shells at us, only one of which came near.

“Feeling that I had carried out the spirit of my instructions I withdrew and waited within half a mile of the buoy, hoping to draw the steamer outside. When we fired the stern gun, the fort returned the shot. We stood back, fired another shell and took our departure. All hands displayed great enthusiasm, and seemed delighted, when one steamer began moving toward us.”—Richmond Examiner, November 4.

—Get. Rosecrans makes some interesting statements regarding the condition of the troops under his command, in a letter addressed to Governor Dennison, of Ohio, under this date. The soldiers in his department have been poorly clothed, because they were nearly all of them despatched hastily in answer to pressing calls, and since entering upon their duties they have changed their positions so frequently that supplies have not reached them regularly. Now, however, they are in very good condition. Gen. Rosecrans contradicts the statement that his force have suffered greatly from sickness. The number in hospital have averaged only four per cent. He recommends that supplies of clothing and other necessaries should be accumulated at some depot, so as to be made available when the troops shall go into winter-quarters.

—”Gentlemen from several counties” in Kentucky, assembled in Russellville, in that State, to confer “together in reference to the situation of the country, and the steps to be taken to better preserve domestic tranquillity.” Nearly all the prominent rebels of the State were present. Resolutions were passed which “bid defiance both to the Federal and State Governments,” and recommend the people to organize and arm, and resist every authority but that of the Confederate States.—(Doc. 118.)

—Two advertisements in reference to confiscation were published in the Washington papers. One, at the instance of the President of the United States, commands the Marshal to attach certain real and personal property of William Shields, and to give notice to all persons having any thing to say why the same should not be condemned to the use of the United States, to appear before the District Attorney on the 28th of November next.

The second advertisement, published by order of the court, is in accordance with the first, and sets forth that Wm. Shields, formerly of Washington, some months ago removed, with his family, to Richmond, where he has been residing ever since, and where he has been and is now engaged in the insurrection and resistance to the laws of the United States of America, now existing in said States, and in secret correspondence with the enemies of said United States residing in the city of Washington and elsewhere, transmitting to them money and other valuables, and receiving the same from them in return, which has been applied in part to aid and abet and promote the said insurrection and resistance to the laws.

—The great Southern Expedition sailed from Fortress Monroe, the Wabash leading, and the Cahawba bringing up the rear. The line of vessels, comprising nearly fifty, made a magnificent appearance.—N. Y. Tribune, October 31.

—A Great Union demonstration was made by a concourse of the citizens of Baltimore, Maryland, at the Front street theatre. The principal feature of the occasion was an address by Francis Thomas, formerly governor of Maryland.—(Doc. 115.)

October 28.—On the night of the 25th, the boats of the U. S. gunboat Louisiana made a reconnaissance of the Virginia shore for a number of miles, and discovered in Chincoteague Inlet, about two miles from its mouth, a number of rebel vessels undergoing repairs; and this night an expedition, under command of Lieutenant Alfred Hopkins, consisting of three boats, with twenty-five men, well armed, proceeded to the inlet with the intent to cut out or destroy the aforesaid rebel vessels. Proceeding cautiously up the narrow inlet, on the banks of which the rebel sentries could be heard, the boats at last reached the rebel fleet; but, finding the channel so intricate and so well guarded, they were unable to bring any of the vessels out. Preparations were, therefore, made to fire them, and at a given signal the match was applied to three large vessels, and as the flames broke forth in the darkness of the night, brilliantly illuminating the skies with lurid glare, the men sprang to their boats, while the enemy, in confusion at the suddenness of the attack, were quite dumbfounded, and unable to offer any resistance or fire a single shot at the brave fellows who made so gallant a dash into their very midst. As the boats shot out of the inlet the troops sent up rockets to announce to their comrades on board the steamer the complete success of the expedition. At daylight the boats arrived alongside the Louisiana without having lost a man. The only casualty was received by Lieutenant Hopkins, who had his right hand severely burned while applying a torch.—Philadelphia Press, Nov. 14.

—Gen. John B. Henderson, of the Missouri State Militia, made a compromise with the rebels at Dyer’s Mills, near Concord, Missouri, by which he agreed that the United States would not make any arrests if the rebels would lay down their arms and return to their homes. Gen. Prentiss acquiesced in the compromise. The rebels were four hundred strong, and Gen. Henderson’s force numbered one thousand five hundred. The proposition for compromise came from the rebels.— National Intelligencer, Nov. 1.

—General Kelley issued a proclamation from Romney to the people of Hampshire County and the Upper Potomac, in which he assured them of protection to their persons and property.—(Doc. 112.)

—Asa T. Pratt, of Braintree, Mass., who expressed strong secession sentiments at a Democratic Convention at Dedham, was ridden on a rail by several of his town’s people.—In accordance with orders received from the War Department, Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, issued marching orders to eight regiments in addition to these already at the seat of War.—Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts, has written a letter in reply to an inquiry from Hon Geo. S. Boutwell, whether the Fifteenth regiment, which behaved so gallantly in the action at Leesburg, was sent into the field with inferior arms. He says that rifled muskets have been given all the regiments to which it was possible to supply them. Some of the commanders, however, have preferred smooth-bore muskets as decidedly preferable for close action, and these Col. Devens’ men had.—N. Y. Times, Oct. 30.

—By direction of the President of the United States, a Commission was appointed, consisting of David Davis, of Illinois; Joseph Holt, of Kentucky, and Hugh Campbell, of St. Louis, to examine and report upon all unsettled claims against the Military Department of the West, which might have originated prior to the appointment of General Fremont, at which time the order was issued that all money must be disbursed by the regularly appointed agents of the Government.— N. Y. Times, Oct. 28.

—The Fifth New Hampshire regiment, Col. Edward E. Cross, left its camp, near Concord, for Washington. It numbers one thousand and thirty-three men, and is armed with the Enfield rifle.—N. Y. Commercial, Oct. 30.