SUNDAY
OCTOBER 27, 1861
THE DAILY PICAYUNE (LA)

THE WAR IN KENTUCKY
Battle Near Rockcastle Ford
ZOLLICOFFER’S COMMAND ATTACKS AND WHIPS THE LINCOLNITES

Nashville, Oct. 26—The Knoxville Register, of the 25th, reports that a fight took place between Gen. Zollicoffer’s command and the Lincolnites, who were entrenched near Rockcastle Ford.

The Confederates attacked and drove the enemy from their entrenchments.

The Confederates lost five killed and twenty-three wounded.

They took forty prisoners. The number killed and wounded of the enemy is not known.

Gen. Zollicoffer then fell back, to prevent his supply line from being cut off.

SEWARD AT HIS OLD TRADE
He is Still Practicing on People’s Credulity

Nashville, Oct. 26--A dispatch from Seward, dated the 19^th, directed to a member of the diplomatic body, and published in the New York Tribune, gives the assurance that the little affair of the Southern insurrection will blow over within three months; the ports will all be opened and peace and prosperity will reign again.

FURTHER FROM LINCOLNDOM

A Happy Reply—The Memphis Appeal has the following:

An incident is related as having occurred between the officials engaged in the exchange of prisoners at Columbus, the other day.  After the preliminaries were arranged, a repast was partaken of, during which one of the Federal officers, rising, proposed "The memory of George Washington." The company instantly rose, when Gen. Polk responded, "The memory of George Washington, the first rebel." The toast, our informant says, was drunk in ominous silence by the Federal officers who were present.  The story is too good not to be true, or to be lost.

Doings of the Blockaders—The Galveston Civilian, of the 20^th says:

The enemies vessels are now in pretty strong force at the pass is leading to Berwick's Bay.  They have captured the schooner Zavella and the Ranchero, which have been regular traders between Berwick's Bay and the mouth of the Sabine.  They first captured the Zavella, in use her as a decoy duck to capture the Ranchero.  On each of these vessels they have placed 12 pound howitzers.  Another schooner was captured by them, the name of which is not known.

Defences of Boston—The Boston Courier says:

The number of guns being placed upon the three forts in the harbor of Boston is about one hundred and twenty.  Of these eighty will be mounted at Fort Warren.  A proportionate number of these are of heavy caliber, some of them being eight inch Columbiads. Eighteen or twenty will be placed at Fort Winthrop, and about the same number upon Fort Independence, making the full number of seventy-five upon the last named fortification.

THE MILITARY BARBECUE YESTERDAY

The Regiment of Confederate Guards, Col. Westmore, comprising eight companies, composed of the substantial citizens of New Orleans, distinguished themselves, yesterday, by giving one of the most significant popular festivals that ever came off in the Southern country.

Determined to have the affair come off in the best possible style, they very judiciously placed its entire management and control in the hands of Mr. O. E. Hall, of the St. Charles and St. Louis Hotels, who certainly discharged, in every respect, the responsible duties thus devolved upon him in the most satisfactory style possible.

To meet his views in the arrangement of the affair everybody in our city seemed to come forward, as if impelled by a common impulse, and that impulse the desire to contribute to the good end which the projector of the barbecue (who, between us and the reader, parenthetically, was no other than Mr. Hall himself,) had primarily in view, the comfort, alike in sickness and in health, of our brave volunteers, now on the field of battle, and their families at home.

We need not particularize. All who were called upon contributed to the good end in view most liberally and freely, and the result was a most splendid success.

When we arrived on “the gay and festive scene,” an hour or so after noon, we found the Metairie Race Course presenting a most animated appearance. The stands were filled with ladies and their attendant beaux, while on the track in front of the judges’ stand, was drawn up the regiment of Confederate Guards ready for review.

The Governor of the State, with his staff, upon which, for the occasion, was Maj. Gen. Lewis, of the First Division, reviewed the regiment, which afterwards marched in review in common and quick time. It made a very creditable and soldierly appearance, and gave satisfaction, not only to the reviewing party, but to many a practiced eye besides.

Among the lookers on we notice to representatives of many others of our military commands, in uniform, whose presence added not a little to the eclat of the occasion.  The civilian portion of the spectators might be counted by thousands, the stands and the field literally swarming with people of all sexes and sizes.

The review been concluded, and the company's composing the regiment dismissed, a brief intermission occurred, and then came the dinner hour.

Some thousands of covers--we cannot pretend to say how many, but they showed in long rows, from the home stretch to the judges' stand--were spread under commodious tents, and around the board there get that a dinner party which might have been counted by thousands.  The ladies, attended by their escorts, literally thronged the tables, and found abundant entertainment, both edible and visible.

It was really an amusing site to see the gentlemen, some in uniform and some not in uniform, plates in hand, making foraging expeditions to the rear of the encampment, kitchen-wards, or supplies of the abundant provision made for the entertainment.  Such an ox as that which was done to a turn, not a cut of it that was not a juicy and savory; porkers that would have inspired a new "dissertation on roast pig" from the pen of Charlie Lamb; by-the-by, young lambs that rivaled their porcious companions for tenderness and sapor, everything, indeed, good to eat, (and, for the matter of that, everything that was good to drink,) were found error in abundance.

The result was that everybody was satisfied, so far as the alimentary desire, so inseparable from our nature, was concerned.  If any body was dissatisfied with his fare, he must attend hard to please.

Dinner over, and the ladies resuming their seats in the stands, (if that to be not a bull,) there were various pleasing military maneuvers displayed for the entertainment.  One company was put through the Zouave and bayonet drill; others practiced target firing; there was much inter-military and civilian promenading, in which the ladies were by no means left out, and then came the evening parade.

This was done in most creditable style by the regiment, after which the companies were dismissed, and the sun having made "a golden set," the satisfied and delighted party dissolved, having passed in most delightful day.

MONDAY
OCTOBER 28, 1861
THE LOWELL (MA) DAILY CITIZEN & NEWS

THE LATEST NEWS

So far as is known, all was quiet yesterday on the Potomac.  General McClellan has issued an order speaking in the highest praise of the Massachusetts 15th and 20th, and the California and Tammany regiments, for their gallant conduct at the battle near Leesburg.  He asserts that the same and bravery and activity under less trying difficulties would ensure brilliant success.  It is reported that 40,000 rebels have been sent to Leesburg from Manassas, making the force their 50,000 strong.  According to rebel reports 520 federal prisoners, taken at ball's bluff, had been sent to Sudley Church.  They say that between 400 and 500 hundred federals were killed, and 300 drowned in the Potomac; that no artillery was fired by the rebels, and that 1200 stand of federal arms were captured.

Brig. Gen. Burns, late Commissary at Cincinnati, has been ordered to take the command of Gen. Baker's brigade.

General Kelly drove the rebels from Romney, Virginia, on Saturday, taking many prisoners, and capturing three pieces of artillery, several baggage wagons and a quantity of camp equipage.  Our loss was trifling; that of the enemy is not reported.

Good News from the West.  A dispatch from Pilot Knob, Missouri, October 26th, reports that Colonel Carlin has occupied Fredericktown with a regiment of infantry, a squadron of cavalry and two pieces of artillery.  Thompson and his rebel band were pursued twenty-two miles beyond Fredericktown, on the Greenville road, when the chase was abandoned.  The rebels are probably now at Greenville, but they are completely demoralized, and will doubtless continued their retreat.

Major Seagoni, at the head of General Fremont's bodyguard of about 300 men, charged upon the rebels, some two thousand strong, at Springfield on Friday, drove them from the town, and hoisted the stars and stripes on the courthouse.  If General Fremont, in his dispatch announcing the fact, said that he should occupy Springfield with his force on Saturday night.

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A Leavenworth paper says it has information to the effect that one hundred slaves leave Missouri every day for Kansas.  At this rate, should the rebellion hold for a year or so, it will need no emancipation proclamation to make Missouri a free state.  In fact, her "manifest destiny" is clearly foreshadowed.

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Othello—An extra train will run to Boston and back to-night to allow our citizens an opportunity to witness Mr. Forrest in his personation of the Moor of Venice, in which he stands unrivalled. The train leaves at 5½, and returns at 11½.

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For Fort Monroe—The box to be dispatched by the city to-day for our soldiers at this fort, contains nearly 150 packages, and is the largest one which has been sent. The friends of the soldiers at home are all doing what they can to make the boys contented and happy, during their absence. Have you sent your friend a package? If not, do so at once.

The Leesburg Disaster—Hon. Amasa Walker writes from Poolesville to the Worcester Spy that the killed, wounded and missing in Col. Devens' (Mass. 15th) regiment is about 300.  Of these many are doubtless prisoners, and many more are on their way back to camp, without doubt.  One hundred are thought to be killed or wounded, and 200 prisoners were missing. Lieut. J. Evarts Greene, of North Brookfield, of the 15th, is among the killed.  He was a lawyer of good promise, son of a Rev. Daniel Green, formerly Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.  Capt. Studley, also of the 15th, was not killed, but taken prisoner.

Gen.  Thomastone, in answer to an inquiry from Washington concerning the fate of Col. Lee, of Massachusetts, telegraphs that the enemy's pickets say that he is a prisoner.  There is nothing known leading to the impression that he was either killed or wounded.

One of the offices of the Mass.  20th, who was in the battle at Ball's Bluff from early morning until late at night, states that he did not leave the Virginia ashore until 9 P.  M., When he found a friendly Negro, who, in the hours of darkness, ferried him across in his skiff to a place of safety upon the Maryland Shore.

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The Expedition—The Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Press, usually well informed, says that " some very important to movements took place in our army last night and today (the 24th inst).  We are not at liberty to give particulars, but it looks as if General McClellan was now going to work in earnest, and we may expect to hear of a signal defeat of the rebels in a very short time--probably before Monday next."

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The Woonsocket Patriot says the woolen mills in that vicinity  are being driven into their utmost stretch, some of them running both day and night.  We are informed that some of these establishments are making a net profit of from three to six hundred dollars a day, or at the break of from $90,000 to $110,000 per year.

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Richard P.  Howe, a member of the Boston Fusiliers, who was wounded and captured at Bull Run, has just returned from Richmond, having been released.  He says that during his stay in Richmond, between seventy-five and one hundred of the Union soldiers died of their wounds and were buried in the slave burying-ground.  The bodies were enclosed in substantial coffins.

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In Nankin, China, it is said every idol has been destroyed and the temples, with one exception, raised to the ground.  The only temple spared has been converted into a Christian house of prayer.  The Buddhist monasteries have been dismantled, and the priests sent to secular life.

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The Shoe and Leather Reporter publishes statistics to prove that the southerners are not yet as bad off for shoes as has been represented.  It shows conclusively that during the past three-quarters of the present year a sufficient number of brogans went to South to supply an army of four hundred thousand men for twelve months and allow three pairs to each man.

TUESDAY
OCTOBER 29, 1861
HARTFORD (CT) DAILY COURANT

FROM WASHINGTON

A depot for prisoners is to be built on Johnson’s Island, in Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie. It is to comprise 17 buildings, capable of holing 1,000 men. It is to cost not more than $25,000, and will be finished by the 10^th of December.

Gen. Porter’s Division of 12,000 on Saturday went through every movement of a battle and a retreat. This is the first time since the war commenced that our troops have been exercised in maneuvering by divisions.

Three of four days before the false news that Mason and Slidell had sailed from Charleston for Europe in the Nashville, reached here, a letter from one Rebel in Richmond to another was intercepted, containing this passage: “I have just bidden farewell to Slidell, who is about starting for Europe with Mason. They are going through Texas, and will sail from a Mexican port.” Recent intelligence leads to the conclusion that they went by this route.

It is whispered that the great advance of the grand army which was projected about this very time, will be deferred in consequence of the affair at Edward’s Ferry, and that the plan of the Commander-in-Chief has been, at least temporarily, deranged by it.

The battery of 18 guns, discovered a week since on Matthias Point, is a myth. It must have been field-pieces which fired upon the Freeborn and Island Belle. Lieut. A. D. Harrell, commanding the steamer Union, a few days since landed and thoroughly examined the place. He found neither guns, intrenchments, nor rebels. The woods were sufficiently cleared to enable field-guns to operate. The Assistant Secretary of the Navy, on his return from Hampton Roads, where he delivered sealed orders to the commander of the great naval expedition, passed without molestation by Matthias Point in the Baltimore.

The Secretary of War issued instructions to Gen. Sherman, in command of the Southern Expedition, concerning the disposition he should make of fugitive slaves. The General is directed to take for his guidance the instructions given by the Department to Gen. Butler some time since; much, however, is left to his discretion. He is authorized to accept the services of all who offer themselves, whether they are slaves or not; and he is, moreover, to employ them in any capacity he chooses, even, if it shall seem to him expedient, being allowed to arm them. He is directed to assure all loyal masters that Congress will reimburse them for any loss they may suffer.

Home Guards Repudiated by Ladies—The following resolutions were passed at a meeting of the young ladies in Logansport, Ind., on the 30^th ult.:

Resolved, That we deem it to be the duty of every young unmarried man to enlist and fight for the honor of his country, his flag and his own reputation.

That the young men, in this time of our country’s peril have but one good excuse for not being a soldier, and that is cowardice

That the young man who now fails to respond to the call of his country in not worthy the kind regrets or the smiles of the young ladies of our native State, and that none but ladies of doubtful age will smile on such men.

That we will have nothing to do with young men who refuse to go to war, and that “Home Guards” must keep their distance.

That the young man who has not pluck enough to fight for his country has not manliness enough to make a good husband.

That we will not marry a man who has not been a soldier.

That we will not marry till after the war is over, and then, “Home Guards! No! Never!”

An Ordinance for the control of the Fire Department was presented to the City Government last night by the City Attorney, Who was the author thereof.  It provides for a Fire Department consisting of a chief and five assistants and engineers, a marshal, and three commissioners.  The regular number of firemen 320; volunteers to do duty at fires only, 90.  It provides further for fire engines, two hose, one sack and bucket, and one hook and ladder company.  Each engine, hook and ladder, and sack and the bucket company to have 40 regular members, and ten volunteers.  The hose companies to have 20 regulars and ten volunteers.  All are exempt from city poll-tax and juror duty.  The firemen to be enlisted every March, for service one year from the first Saturday of the month ensuing.  No intoxicating liquor is allowed about the engine house, and no boys allowed about the house or with the machine.  The house is not to be places a resort.  The engines not to be drawn upon the walks in going to a fire unless by order of an engineer or foreman, and never upon the walks on returning from a fire, on any pretext, neither will racing be allowed.  All the fireman when on duty to wear badges.  The engineer to have power to discharge or suspend, at the request of the foreman, any member of the company to which the foreman belongs, for disobedience of orders, etc., And the Common Council, on report, of the engineer, to have the same power over foremen for similar offenses.

The salary of the chief engineer to be fixed at $300 per annum; assistant do.  $50.00; the fire marshal $500; firemen $5.00 each per annum; each foreman and each assistant, $2.00 of additional; each steward of the hose and engine companies, $10.00; each steward of H. & L. and S. & B. $5.  Each engine, hook and ladder, and sack and bucket company, $50.00 per annum, each hose company, $40.00; and all companies an additional $2.00 for each member of their companies.

The duty of the Fire Commissioners will be to reject or approve the enlistments.  The fire Marshall is to examine the fireplaces, chimneys, etc., and has power to direct the location of stoves, ranges, etc.  He shall attend all fires, and enquire into the cause of such fires.

All able bodied citizens at a fire shall obey the orders of the Chief Engineer, and three dollars is a penalty of refusal.  20 dollars fined for false alarm of fire, and five dollars for going into a barn or hay-loft with a light not enclosed in a lantern, or with a lighted pipe or cigar.

Union Feeling in Tennessee—A correspondent of the New York Times, writing from Louisville, under date of Oct. 17, thus speaks of the latent Union feeling in Tennessee:

Tennesseans keep fleeing within our lines. They all tell one story—that the Union men in Tennessee are not less numerous now than three months ago, and will rally to the national standard whenever and wherever they get a chance. Many recent Union leaders have been coerced into secession; they are still Union at heart, and will soon find occasion to speak again for the Union. The private talk of many Tennesseans is to this effect: “We did not know, until lately, that we were so strong Union men; but this new government is so monstrous a despotism, that, as certain as fate, if ever a national army appears in striking distance, we shall join it, though it be to fight against our neighbors, our ‘kith and kin.’ ” Secessionists themselves avow that “Eastern Tennessee is rotten to the core on the secession question.”

Boston Matters

Boston, Oct. 28—Asa F. Pratt of Braintree, who expressed strong secession sentiments at a late democratic meeting in Dedham, was to-day ridden on a rail by several of his townspeople.

The funeral of Wm. L. Putnam of the Mass. 20th, killed at the battle of Ball's Bluff, took place to-day in Rev. Dr. Barstow's church in Cambridge street.  There was a very large attendance, including Gov. Andrew and staff and detachments of military.  Lt. Putnam was born the in 1840, receive a liberal education in Europe, and was esteemed among the most promising young men in the State. 

WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 30, 1861
THE CONSTITUTION (CT)

Narrow Escape at Niagara Falls--On Sunday evening, while a party of gentlemen were making a tour of Goat Island by moonlight, one of the party Mr. Percy Clarke, indiscreetly the ventured too near the edge of the rock for me a portion of the Central Fall.  At this point, the earth above the rock is insecure, and when Mr. Clarke pressed forward to catch a closer view of the torrent, the earth gave way under his feet, and he fell upon the rock below.  In the partial darkness, it was almost impossible to discover Mr. Clarke's position, and, for a moment, the gentlemen upon the abutment were fearful he had been swept over the fall.

All was confusion, and in the roar of the cataract, it was difficult to hear his cries for help.  At this moment, however Mr. Howard Paul, of London, who was one of the gentlemen forming the party, sprained forward, and, instantly removing his coat, prostrated himself upon the bank, and, clinging to the stump of the tree, threw an end of the garment to the unfortunate gentleman, and succeeded, at the risk of his own life, in rescuing Mr. Clarke from his perilous and fearful position.  When discovered, he was hanging from the rock which abuts from the central fall, within a foot of the immense sheet of falling water, a hundred and fifty feet in depth.  Had it not been for the courage and presence of mind of Mr. Paul, there would have been added another to the list of those who have lost their lives by venturing too near the dangers of Niagara Falls.

A Nice Place to Live--the disputed territory between the two armies south of the Potomac must furnish anything but quiet and peaceful places of residence.  What with picket skirmishing and the depredations of marauding soldiers, to say nothing of the contingency of a furious battle, one would think that the region would be completely deserted by all save the contending armies.  Yet it seems not to be so.  The army correspondent of the New York Post says that a Connecticut gentleman who owns a small estate near Falls Church went over a day or two since to look at his tenant.  The family has remained in the dwelling through all the troubles of picket skirmishing, and scares a day has passed for a month that they have not witnessed sanguinary scenes from their windows.  The building lay between the pickets, neither party venturing to it.  On one occasion a Federal soldier ventured down to the well for some water, and was shot dead by a rebel  bullet while drinking.  There the body remained for a day or two.  The house itself has been pierced with bullets, but none of the courageous family were harmed.

The Naval Expedition--The great naval expedition sailed from Annapolis for Fortress Monroe last week.  It was to stop at Fortress Monroe to take some additional troops and further supplies, and then was to sail south.  This is the largest naval expedition which the United States has ever sent forth.  It has on board about 13,000 troops.  There are 31 large transport vessels, 16 and steam and on boats, and eight or ten other vessels of war, carrying in all about 400 guns.  In this expedition are two regiments from this State--the Sixth, Col. Chatfield, and the Seventh, Col. Terry.  The latter is on board the steamship Illinois, and the former embarked on board the steamers Marion and Parkersburgh. Brig. Gen.  Thomas W. Sherman is in command of the military forces, and Com. S. F. Dupont, commands the naval branch of the expedition.

Gen. McClellan's Cautious Policy--Before these lines meet the eye of our readers a great battle may have been fought on the banks of the Potomac.  The position of the troops is such that a collision that seems inevitable.  Gen. McClellan has been slowly but steadily advancing tours the main entrenchments of the enemy, and if it has not already become necessary for them to fight or retreat, this necessity will vary speedily be forced upon them.

One of the most prominent of the characteristics of Gen. McClellan is prudence.  Thus far in the campaign he has refused to take any step of which he was not perfectly sure.  His name is never to be obliged to retreat or backed out of a position which he has once taken.  And therefore he endeavors never to take a position of importance without the most careful deliberation, and without making every necessary preparation to hold it against all assailants.  His prudence was remarkable in his campaign in Western Virginia.  Although surrounded with great difficulties and in a country peculiarly favorable to sudden attacks from the enemy, he was never found unprepared for any emergency and was never taken unawares.  When he took command on the Potomac, he refused to move a step in advance until he had a army which he could depend upon.  Three months for occupied in bringing his army into a state of efficiency, and not even the site of the secession flag flying on Monson's Hill in plain view from the capital would provoke him to cross the Potomac before he was ready.  And then when he moved across the river and took possession of Arlington Heights, it was very evident that the enemy could never again have possession of the hills above Washington.  Fortifications were at once erected, and are now being erected, which will make his position there impregnable against the whole rebel army.

There are multitudes in the country who want to see the work of subjugation done faster than the cautious policy of Gen. McClellan will allow him to do it.  The "On to Richmond" cry is beginning to be revived in some quarters.  But let these people think that it is essential now to the very existence of the Government that the Bull Run affair should not be repeated.  No possibility for such a catastrophe is left open.  The existence of a nation depends upon the success of the army of the Potomac, and Gen. McClellan is just the man to be at the head of the army.

THURSDAY
OCTOBER 31, 1861
THE VERMONT PHŒNIX

Health of Gen. Scott

We regret to hear from Washington that the health of Gen. Scott is becoming less and less adequate to the severe and unremitting labors imposed by his position.  His fatigues have had such an effect upon his death he now finds it difficult to attend to business for more than two hours at a time, without refreshing himself by sleep.  He is unable to walk or ride to any considerable distance, and for a portion of the past few days he has been confined quite closely to his house.

It is evident that the term of the old soldier's active service that is drawing rapidly to a close.  He will leave a record on the page of his country's history as honorable as that of Washington himself.  The correspondent of the London Times mentioned a few weeks since, that it was the generals intention to avail himself of the provisions of the late act of Congress, and retire from service during the present month.  We presume that nothing but the prospect of an immediate engagement with the enemy prevents him from carrying this purpose into effect.

The statement that Gen. Scott was urging the removal of Gen. McClellan and the appointment of Gen. Halleck in his place, must be taken with great reserve. Gen. Scott is not likely to recommend such proceeding unless he is inclined to abstain entirely from offensive military operations and send the army of Potomac into Winter quarters. Gen. McClellan has gone through all the labor of organizing the force under his command, and has a plan of operations which unless the plan itself is discarded by the Government, it is his right to carry it out.  He has won the confidence and respect of the army and of the country at large, and his removal at the present moment, if such a thing where possible, would be the heaviest blow which could be inflicted on the spirit and courage of the people.  We have not the slightest apprehension of any such calamity.

A Sad Misapplication--that any individual or corporation should be so obtuse as to suppose the commendable injunction, "Take Time by the Forelock," to be answered by the mere setting four of the clock, is hard to be understood.  'Twere hard too, to attribute to any love of mischief making that should lead to so deplorable estate of things as at present exists in our village, from the disagreement of clocks which the owners will stand up and swear, have "regulated the sun for a term of years." But matters go badly.  One man hastens through his task, to find himself at home a quarter of an hour before dinner is prepared; while a neighbor whose profits is equally great, by his standard of time, finds a cold dinner standing upon his table, to be served by an impatient housewife with a full chorus of snarling children.  The traveler goes to the station, with an allowance of ten minutes time in his favor, to find the cars retreating down the river, mocking his disappointment by a scream at some far off crossing.  Our children start for school at nine o'clock, and perhaps find themselves there with five minutes to spare before school commences, thereby receiving the pernicious impression that they can accomplish quite an undertaking "in less than no time." We call for a remedy--a convention of time-keepers, a compromise, anything.

Payment of Prisoners' Families

The adjutant general has issued the following general order: "the following plan for paying the families of the officers and soldiers in the service of the United States, who are or may become prisoners of war, some doesn't do them out by the government, having been approved by the president, it is published for the information of all concerned.  Payments will be made to persons presenting a written authority from a prisoner to draw his pay, or, without such authority, to his wife, the guardian of his minor children, or his widowed mother in the order named.  Applications for such pain must be made to the senior paymaster of the district in which the regiment of the prisoner is serving, and must be accompanied by the certificate of a judge of a court of the United States, of the district attorney of the United States, or some other parts under the seal of a court of record of the state in which the applicant is a resident, setting forth that the said applicant is the wife of the prisoner, the guardian of his children, or his widowed mother, and if occupying either of the last two relationships towards him, that there is no one in existence more nearly related to him, according to the above classification.  Payments will be made two parties thus authorized and identified, on their receipts made out in the manner that would be required of the prisoner himself.  At least one month's pay being in all cases retained by the United States, the officer making the payment will see that it is entered on the last previous muster roll for the payment of the prisoners company, or will report it, if those rolls are not in his possession, to the senior paymaster of the district, who will either attend to the entry, or give notice of the payment to the paymaster general, if the rolls have afforded to his office."

FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 1, 1861
THE LIBERATOR (MA)

THE GREAT NAVAL EXPEDITION

Three days ago information appeared in all the papers, of an immense naval expedition, which had long been in secret preparation, and which was to sail from Annapolis, with sealed orders, for some part of the South.

Its departure was first delayed by a storm, and then a day was given to rehearsal, at Fortress Monroe, of the complicated movements of landing with surf-boats. Meantime, it was reported that the clerk of the commanding officer had absconded, carrying with him the maps, charts, plans and sealed orders of the expedition. This rumor was afterwards contradicted. This fleet actually sailed from Fortress Monroe on Tuesday morning, Oct. 29^th. How unspeakably greater, every way, would the effect of this expedition have been upon the enemy, had its departure been preceded by a proclamation of Freedom to the Slaves.

A VOICE FROM THE TOMBS

Among those who fell in the late disastrous battle at Ball’s Bluff was a young man of the very highest excellence and promise, combining physical beauty and vigor with high intelligence and nobleness of spirit. Those who knew Lieut. William L. Putnam, of Roxbury, speak of him with enthusiasm, as strikingly eminent in all that gives attractiveness to youth, and promise of ripened excellence in coming years. He fell in the act of aiding a brother officer. At his burial, his face preserved its usual aspect of serene cheerfulness.

The last letter written home by young Putnam, before this premature close of his earthly career, contains this remarkable expression, showing that he understood the meaning of our present trouble, and the use, needful to be made, of the contest in which the nation is now engaged. He wrote—I trust this war will never cease, let fall who will fall, until liberty shall be secured for every human being in our country! This striking fact corroborates the statement made by the Transcript respecting him, that “He was one, out of many, of those young soldiers of freedom, whose very education and refinement of intellectual and moral perception led them to engage in the present war.”

It is doubly sad to see those die who seem best prepared to live with advantage to their nation and their age. May the last message of this beautiful soul be seed, bringing forth abundant fruit, among his associates in the camp, and his wide circle of mourning friends at home.

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The call of the Quartermaster of the army for all blankets for the soldiers that can be spared from families, is but feebly responded to, though the Government pays the full market value for them.

PRESENT RELATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO SLAVERY

The religion of a country should be its most active and vigorous helper in the renunciation of evil-doing and eh commencement of practical reform. As far as the vice of slaveholding is concerned, our readers are aware that the churches of our popular religion have been its main bulwark; not only doing nothing to overthrow it, but holding active complicity with it, and placing active obstruction in the way of those who would overthrow it.

The Presbyterian church stands third in relative numbers and weight of membership among the sects in this country. Its influence, therefore, has been very great, especially in the West.  In no church have the ministers and church-members been more determined in the maintenance of slavery; in none have greater hardness of heart and blindness of mind been manifested, both in the systemic allowance of the worst features of the system, and in the manufacture of arguments by which to maintain its necessity and propriety. As to the arguments, those which Mrs. Stowe has put into the mouths of the Presbyterian ministers depicted in “Deed” are almost a literal copying of the debates in their Presbyterics and Synods; as to the facts, it was a Presbyterian church in Tennessee which not only refused to take measures against Deacon  Netherland for the killing of his aged slave, (on a charge afterward proved groundless,) but which dismissed its minister for urging the enforcement of “discipline” upon  the murderer; and it was the Presbyterian Board of Missions which took into its service Rev. Cyrus Byington at Stockbridge, in the Choctaw nation, without regard to the fact that he was an accomplice after the fact in the burning alive of one of his church members by another. After the perpetration of this crime in their Choctaw mission, the “American Board” had found “embarrassments and perplexities” pressing heavily upon them, and made haste to shuffle the whole mission off their hands. But the Presbyterian Board of Missions found neither embarrassment nor perplexity in this state of things; they were accustomed to slavery, and to its results; and they made no difficulty about immediately taking under their care that group of slaveholding churches in the Choctaw Nation, and that wolf in sheep’s clothing who called himself “pastor” of the Stockbridge church, when the Boston managers of the “American Board” had dropped them as “too hold to hold.”

The Presbyterian Church, however, having always, like the other churches, been troubled by a small minority of protestants against slavery, cast an anchor to windward to break the force of remonstrances on that subject as early as in 1818; for in that year they published that famous Declaration which they have ever since appealed to as showing them free from guilt in the matter of slavery. This double-faced and deceitful document used many and strong expressions unfavorable to slavery, at the same time allowing its indefinite continuance among its ministers and church members. Ever since, they have continued to buy, hold and sell slaves! Ever since, also, when charged with guilt in regard to slavery, they have held up the empty words of this Declaration in their defence! So Pilate, after delivering up Jesus to be crucified, washed his hands to show his innocence!

Such has been the position of the Presbyterian Church since 1818. But times have changed and men are changing. “The world” has made many movements in the direction of anti-slavery. Has the change yet reached the Church? . . .

SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 2, 1861
THE SPRINGFIELD (MA) REPUBLICAN

SENSIBLE ENGLISH VIEWS

The following paragraphs--the first from the Manchester Guardian, and the other from the London Quarterly Review--contain sensible English and views connected with the discussion of the rebellion, there are quite in contrast with those of the Times:

"The condemnation of several British vessels as prices was resisted by the agent of the British government on the ground that the public disturbances subsisting between different portions of the United States do not constitute a state of war, that no lawful blockade has been established, and, in fact, that no particular state, or states, can be treated as enemies of the Union by its own government.  But if, on the other hand, the South be and independent government, in hostility to the union of which it formerly constituted a part, the right of the latter to blockade exports is is the open to dispute is in the right which can possibly exist under the law of nations.  What is it, then, that is required of us?  Not only that we should recognize the independence of the southern confederation, but that, having done that, we should forbid the United States to carry on against it one of the most legitimate operations of war, further at least than it might not interfere with our own convenience.  This is, in plain terms, that we should declare war against United States in order to prevent them from using the only weapon by which, if by any, they can have the slightest hope of reducing their adversaries, call them rebels or enemies, or what we will, two submission.  We cannot think there are many men in the country who would, knowingly in with their eyes open, recommend this course of procedure.  There are considerations tending to show its manifest short -sightedness and impolicy which may be urged on another occasion.  For the present it may suffice to say that it would give a shock to the system of public law throughout the world, by which we should inevitably be the severest sufferers in the end, and at the disastrous effect of such an example set by such a country is England would be infinitely heightened by the glaring selfishness of the motive."

"To think that it would be the safety of British interests on the other side of the Atlantic, the United States should be split into two rival nations, is, we think, the reverse of far-seeing.  As heretofore constituted, the states, the able to repel any invasion in the long run, were perfectly harmless as to foreign war.  They might trouble a ruin like Mexico; but they had no army, no navy, for which the military power need care in the least.  They could not be anything, except where, as in Mexico, there was nobody worth naming to defend.  But if two rival nations be formed, both must be military powers, both must be naval powers.  The one would order on our North American, the other on our West Indian possessions.  The one who desire Canada, the other must have the west Indies.  In Europe, France and Russian forces to keep our ruinously costly armaments; and were two great military states placed on our transatlantic frontiers, we must prepare for a new scale of armament, and for new and frequent uses of our arms.  We have, then, no hesitation in wishing on grounds of policy what is right on grounds of principle, that our American friends may see their present troubles as happily and, as those have been which in past times arrayed the different parts of this now really united kingdom in deadly conflict.  If asked whether we expected, why is that we hardly know.  The war is only be gone; and we do not pretend to see its end.  Many seem to think that a week or two is a long time in such a struggle. We fear that a year or two may pass before any one is entitled to form decided opinions as to how it may turn. But uncertainty as to the issue is only an additional reason for honest men to say what they desire; and our fervent desire is to see the South utterly vanquished.”

Rifled Cannon Practice—We witnessed yesterday, near Chicopee, some highly interesting experiments with rifled guns. The guns used on this occasion were a brass field-piece, throwing a fourteen pound shot, and an old navy thirty-two, which, rifled, throws a sixty-four pound shot. These guns were rifled at the Ames Company’s works, at Chicopee, and the shot and shell used were the celebrated projectile invented by Gen. James of Rhode Island, a large number of which have been used by the government in this war. The experiments on this Occasion were conducted by Gen. James, the inventor, in person, and were witnessed by Captain Faunce, commander of the Harriet Lane. It should be first stated that the experiments with the old smooth- bore, navy thirty-two gun are of the highest importance, as their result involves the fate of a very large stock of similar guns now on hand. It seems that from 1500 to 2000 of these guns, designed to throw a thirty-two pound round shot, having been constructed any years ago, are now deemed useless, on account of the rapid improvements that have been recently made in heavy ordnance. They lie in dark lines at the Brooklyn navy yard, powerless against the enemies of the Union. Gen. James is quite confident that these guns can be made serviceable by being rifled; indeed that they can be made to throw his projectiles, both shot and shells, double the weight twice the distance and with far greater accuracy than they could ever throw a round shot. Accordingly he has caused one of them to be rifled in the experiments with it thus far have been most successful.  As his arrangements for target practice were not fully completed, his firing yesterday was limited to what are called line shots.  The target, consisting of a narrow strip of red flannel, stuck upon a steak about the height of a man's breast, was placed three quarters mile distance.  The first shot, weighing 64 pounds, solid, cut the stake off about three feet from the ground as closely as an adzeman could have done it.  This was an extraordinary shot, especially as it was the first one after getting the gun in position.  All the others were fired at a higher elevation, but were nearly as good line shots.  At an elevation of seven degrees the 64 pound shot first struck the ground and a distance of 8000 feet or nearly a mile and a half.  One shell thrown from the brass gun, exploded on striking the ground with a loud report.

These experiments were highly satisfactory to Captain Faunce and all the witnessed them, and if General James can demonstrate to the ordinance board, as he seems likely to do, that the large number of old heavy guns now on hand and deemed the useless can be made to be as serviceable as guns of the most modern pattern, by simply rifling them, he will render in most important service to the country.

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Gen. Scott has formally resigned his command and been placed on the retired list of army officers, in accordance with an act of Congress. His age and bodily infirmities narrow his usefulness, and the glorious patriot has sense enough to see it and to leave the field gracefully. Gen. Scott entered the United States army in 1808, as a captain of light artillery, and rose to be a major general before the close of the war of 1812-15.  He never lost a battle when able to direct operations in person, and his dashing heroism caused him to be repeatedly wounded.  President Madison hesitated, on account of Scott's youthfulness, to promote him so rapidly as his military merits seemed to require.  President Lincoln has released him from further service with the kindness and honorable recognition demanded by his splendid career of more than half a century.  His closing service of defending the capital and organizing the volunteer army that used to subdue the rebellion, forms a fitting capsheaf to his patriotic life. Gen. McClellan has been appointed to succeed Gen. Scott as commander-in-chief of the army, by the unanimous voice of president and cabinet.