SUNDAY
APRIL 27, 1862
THE DAILY PICAYUNE (LA)

[NOTE: New Orleans is now occupied by the Union Navy]

The Virginia Again Around.—Fortress Monroe dispatches of the 11th, give the following account of the Virginia’s second cruise:

“The return of pleasant weather to-day brought the Merrimack, as was generally anticipated. She had been seem three days ago under steam, at Craney Island, and as the evening of yesterday promised that the storm had exhausted itself, few were astonished this morning at the announcement that she was in sight coming down. The alarm gun was fired at twenty minutes past 7 o’clock, and as soon as the appearance of the Merrimack was generally known, the docks, beach and ramparts of the Fortress, and other points commanding a view, were crowded with spectators.

The Merrimac, after showing herself beyond Sewall’s Point, appeared to be heading this way. She did not long continue on this course, however, but turned towards James river, followed by six gunboats, which had come round the point in her company. Of the latter, the Yorktown and Jamestown were recognized. The others were supposed to be the Raleigh and the Teaser. Arriving at a point between Sewell’s Point and Newport News Point, near the place where the French war vessels Gazzendi and Castinet, and the English steamer Rinaldo, had placed themselves, the whole fleet came to a stop; while the Jamestown, followed at some distance by the Yorktown, and a small tug, continued on her course. The intention of the Jamestown was not at first perceived. As she came round, leaving Newport News on her left, it was seen that her object was to capture two brigs and a schooner which were anchored near the  shore, about two miles from the point. This was done without the slightest difficulty; and the assistance of the small tug being rendered, the three prizes were taken off under the rebel flag. The whole affair was concluded in less than half an hour; and the Jamestown, having rejoined the fleet, was ordered to tow their prizes to Craney Island. Taking one brig in tow astern, and one on each side, she moved slowly away.

Slightly alarmed at this bold dash, quite a number of schooners in the upper harbor availed themselves of a favorable wind and sailed. Up to this time the rebel fleet had remained in the position in which they first placed themselves, and nothing more has been done. The tide is now out, and probably no new movement will be made in some hours. If the Merrimac should see fit to  pay us a visit, she will be appropriately welcomed.

The names of the two brigs captured are the Sabas, of Providence, and the Marcus, of Stockton. The former was loaded with hay on private account, and the latter was chartered by the Government, but had been unloaded. The captains of the two brigs escaped in a small boat, with four of the crew of the Marcus. Two men were left on board the Sabas. They made no efforts to lower a boat to escape, and were taken prisoners together with the crew of the schooner. It is said that the captured vessels were ordered last night to move down the harbor for safety.

The schooner Harmony, used as a water boat by Noyes, government contractor for supplying water to the fort, happened to be alongside the French man-of-war, when the Merrimac made her appearance, and she was taken under the protection of the French flag, thus escaping capture. Mr. Noyes had previously lost by capture two schooners employed as water boats by him.

Latest.—The Jamestown returned from Craney Island, when the Merrimac fired three shots in the direction of Hampton Creek. The Naugatuck and Clara, which has been stationed in that vicinity, replied with a number of shots, all of which fell near the rebel fleet. The whole rebel fleet, led by the Merrimac, then returned to Elizabeth river.

The name of the schooner captured is the Emily. She was from Washington, with sutlers’ stores. A passenger steamboat filled with spectators came out of Elizabeth river this afternoon. A number of small scull and sail boats could be seen through the day off Sewall’s Point.

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The Affair at the Mint Yesterday.—In our extra, published yesterday afternoon, we had a brief notice of the tearing down of the federal flag which had been hoisted on the Mint by a party of the enemy early in the morning. We have since heard further particulars of the affair. It appears the report that the hoisting of the flag was the act of a boat’s crew from one of the enemy’s vessels was correct. We can only conclude that this was done to test the endurance and patience of our people, for it is difficult to imagine that the act—unjustifiable and insulting as it was under the circumstances—could have been committed without the knowledge, connivance or authority of the naval officers of the enemy.

It also appears that the report that the party who tore down the flag were fired upon from one of the enemy’s vessels was well founded. We are informed that there were two discharges, neither of which, we are glad to hear, did no injury. The first was a shower of grape, and the second a shell from a 4-pounder brass swivel gun. A portion of this shell we have seen. It struck the house of Mr. J. A. Lacour, corner of Victory and Frenchman streets, and fortunately did not explode. The names of the party that distinguished themselves by gallantly tearing down the  flag that had been surreptitiously hoisted, we learn, are W. B. Mumford, who cut it loose from the flagstaff amid the shower of grape, Lieut. N. Holmes, Sgt. Burns, and James Reed. They deserve great credit for their patriotic act.

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One Man Killed and Two Wounded on the Levee by the Enemy.—Under the head of “Coroner’s Inquests,” we have mentioned the inquest on the body of a man named Brown, who was killed yesterday morning on the steamboat landing, by a minié ball fired from one of the enemy’s vessels. It appears from information we have received that a party of some eight men, of the Pickwick Rangers, who participated in the battle of Shiloh and have returned to the city, marched down to the steamboat landing, bearing with them a Confederate flag, and having a drummer and fifer with them; that they proceeded to the water’s edge with their flag displayed proudly in the breeze, and that on arriving there, they had their favorite tunes, Garry Owen, the Bonnie Blue Flag and Dixie, played; that when the enemy discovered them, a party of sharpshooters mounted the rigging of the Hartford, the enemy’s flag-ship, and opened a brisk fire upon them; that the  man Brown, who was a spectator, was shot and killed, and that two of the Rangers were wounded—one in the leg and the other in the heel. This information we have from Capt. M. W. deBellé, of the Rangers, and his 1st Lieutenant. They also report that while they were under fire, a daring lady, who was by, asked permission to bear the Confederate flag for a moment, which was granted, and that she exultantly waved the flag in the face of the enemy, utterly regardless of the balls which were whistling around her. Although we think such demonstrations as the one we are recording are injudicious, we cannot but feel admiration for the gallantry of those engaged in it, and who, face to the foe, slowly retired from the scene of the action. It says little for any consideration that may be expected from an enemy when they fire volleys of minié balls among hundreds of unarmed men and women, as we are assured, was the case in this instance.

MONDAY
APRIL 28, 1862
THE NORWICH MORNING BULLETIN (CT)

CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS

We have every reason for believing that the Stars and Stripes wave this morning over the largest and most important commercial city in the rebellious States—the city and port of New Orleans. A dispatch from Gen. Wool says a copy of the Petersburgh (Va.) Express has been received containing a dispatch from Mobile, dated the 25th, which announces that our fleet have passed Fort Jackson, the principal defence of the approach to the city by the Mississippi river; that there was great excitement in New Orleans; that martial law had been proclaimed; that all property which could not be removed was being destroyed; and that at one o’clock in the afternoon of the 25th, the New Orleans operator had given them good-bye, saying the Federal fleet were before the city. Confirmatory of this is a dispatch from Gen. McDowell, stating that the Richmond Dispatch of the 26th announced the taking of New Orleans and great destruction of property there by the rebels before leaving the city.

The news seems almost too good to be true, and yet we do not see how it can be doubted. Gen. Wool speaks in positive terms of the dispatch in the Petersburgh paper, and McDowell would hardly have forwarded any such report unless well assured of its truth. The news is so overwhelmingly good that, notwithstanding we have been some time in daily expectation of it, we find it difficult to realize the truth. Gen. Butler promised when he left Boston that he would send a ship-load of cotton from New Orleans by the first of May. He is in a fair way to fulfill the promise.¹

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From Washington.

Washington, April 26.—The Washington Republican of this morning, explains the origin of the reports concerning the resignation of Secretary Welles. It states that they originated with persons who sought to make steamboat contracts with the Navy Department, but were unable to convince Mr. Welles of the necessity therefor.

The President’s visit to the French frigate Gassendi, this afternoon, was an event of historical significance. It was the first time a President of the United States ever went on board a foreign vessel of war that ever came to Washington. He was received with all the honors paid to a crowned head, being the same as are usually shown to the Emperor. The yards were manned, the ship was dressed with flags, and the American national ensign floated at the main and the French at the fore mizzen and peak. The national salute was fired on his arrival, and again on his departure. Admiral Reynaud received him at the foot of the ladder, and the seamen seven times shouted “Viva la President,” on his arrival and leaving. Capt. Gaudier entertained him hospitably in his cabin and presented the officers of the ship. The President was attended at the landing by a full guard of marines, and the band, which played the national air, Capt. Dahlgren and the other officers of the yard receiving him in a body. The President was accompanied on board by the Secretary of State and Captain Dahlgren. The French Minister was on board to receive him and present his countrymen. The reception was a gratifying one to the President, and the affair passed off to mutual satisfaction and was deemed a happy augury for the future amicable relations of the two countries.

Gunboat Expedition up the Tennessee.

Washington, April 26.—The Navy Department has received dispatches from Commodore Foote, enclosing a report from Lieutenant-commanding Gwin, dated the 14^th inst., in which he says:

“The Tyler and Lexington convoyed two transports containing two thousand troops—infantry and cavalry—under command of General Sherman, to Chickasaw, Alabama, where they disembarked, and proceeded rapidly to Bear Creek Bridge, at the crossing of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, for the purpose of destroying it and as much of the trestle work as they could find.

“The expedition was entirely successful, the bridge, consisting of two spans, of one hundred and ten feet each, was completely destroyed, that is, the superstructure, together with some five hundred feet of trestle work, and half a mile of telegraph line. The rebels made a feeble resistance to our cavalry, one hundred and twenty in number, but soon hastily retreated, losing four killed. Our loss none.”

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Important from Texas.—Deserters from Galveston to the blockading squadron, as we learn from private letters, report that the Governor of Texas is getting shaky in consequence of recent Federal victories, and has called upon General Houston for counsel, who advises the people to leave the coast and retire into the interior.

They report that half the garrison at Galveston would desert if they had an opportunity, and that they are fed on corn meal, ground up, cobs and all. They are clothed in U.S. uniforms stolen by Gen. Twiggs.—Boston Traveller.

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Miscellaneous

Pittsburgh, Pa., April 27.—The steamers Meringo and Hailnan, sent from this city to Pittsburg Landing, returned to-day, with 70 wounded, who were placed in the Marine Hospital. The boats started with nearly 500, all of whom were left at points on the river near their homes. Among the wounded are two rebel prisoners.

Washington, April 27.—The news of the fall of New Orleans excites general joy throughout the city. The news from New Orleans, which has come through several rebel sources, is deemed here to be of the utmost importance. What old England failed to do with all her power has been handsomely accomplished by New England.² The manner in which the success at Forts Jackson and St. Phillip was followed up is highly commended. In thirty hours our brave men consummated their victory and appeared before the great city of the Southwest to receive its submission. This is but a foretaste of Southwestern operations. No mention is made by the rebels of their iron-clad “Turtles” and “Rams” that were to annihilate the Yankee fleet, which leads to a suspicion that the common estimate of the rebel motive power from their own misrepresentations has been a mistake. It is pretty sure that on this occasion they could not stop to conceal the truth.

TUESDAY
APRIL 29, 1862
PORTLAND DAILY ADVERTISER (ME)

From New Orleans

New York, April 28.—The steam boat Connecticut has arrived from the South-west Pass 12th inst., and the entire blockading squadron fleet. She brought two hundred sick and wounded seamen from the squadron. When she left the Mississippi all the vessels were inside the Passes. They had their decks sanded and were all ready for action.³ The men were in good health.

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From the South.

Cairo, April 28.—The steamer Estella, from Pittsburg Landing, has arrived. The army is still gradually advancing, but everything was quiet. A reconnoisance on Friday discovered that the enemy were strongly posted at Pea Ridge, three miles beyond our line of pickets, but we did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars still fire occasionally. Refugees from Memphis report a strong Union feeling existing there, and that the majority of the people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our forces to take possession. It was not believed that the city would be burned, but all the cotton, sugar and molasses will be destroyed.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson were at Memphis with about six thousand miserably clad troops. They remain there to drive the people n to submission to the conscription act which is being enforced. Hundreds of the inhabitants are leaving dally to avoid impressment. Most of the twelve months men whose term of service is about to expire, refuse to re-enlist under any circumstances, and are deserting in large numbers.

Chicago, April 28.—A special dispatch to the Times from Cairo to-day, says Pittsburg advices of Sunday night, say that the roads are improving, and preparations for the coming battle are progressing steadily. The pickets of the two armies are now only half a mile apart. There is much sickness among our troops, the result of fatigue and exposure and the unhealthy climate. Refugees report that Villipigne is still in command at Fort Wright, and has a force of six or eight thousand men. The guns from Fort Randolph have been taken there.

A large number of Negroes are constantly at work strengthening the fortifications.

There is a report which is deemed reliable that the rebel gunboat fleet is coming up the river to attack our flotilla, and then will make a bold stroke for the possession of the Mississippi. On the reception of this report, a steamer was immediately dispatched to Island No. 10, having on board gunners sufficient to man the batteries there.

Refugees report that a despotic censorship is enforced in all parts of the south-west, and public prints dared utter nothing derogatory to the rebellion.

Union clubs meet nightly in Memphis, and are holding regular correspondence with similar clubs in nearly every large city of the South.

Fort Harris, just above Memphis, has been overflowed by a crevasse, and much damage caused to the surrounding country.

The Tribune’s Cairo dispatch says that the rebel cavalry had appeared in considerable force on the river, twenty miles below Savannah.

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Liquor Agency.—A hearing was granted the Sons of Temperance last evening by the Mayor and Aldermen, in relation to the appointment of a Liquor Agent. S. L. Carleton, Esq., in behalf of the Sons, addressed the Board, and urged the appointment of Mr. Nathan Webb to that office. After he had concluded his remarks, the Board voted to lay the subject on the table.

XXXVIIth Congress—First Session.
SENATE.

Washington, April 28.—The President pro tem. Presented a communication from the Secretary of the Interior, concerning the number and ages of slaves, &c., in the District of Columbia. They were compiled some two months since, and perhaps will not be available now.

Mr. Collamer presented a petition of the citizens of Vermont, asking that certain newspapers have the same privileges as others.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., from the Military Committee, reported back the bill for the organization of a signal department. Postponed.

On motion of Mr. Willey, the Secretary of War was requested to report whether it is expedient to restore the Harper’s Ferry Armory, what amount was necessary, &c.

Mr. Pomeroy introduced a bill to prevent and punish the importation of adulterated liquors.

The resolution of the State of Ohio, in regard to rebels keeping slaves in Camp Chase, Ohio, was taken up and referred to the Military Committee.

The bill for the more convenient enforcement of the laws for security to keep the peace and good behavior, was passed, 35 against 8.

The Senate went into Executive session.

Adjourned.

HOUSE.

On motion of Mr. McPherson, of Penn., the Secretary of War was requested to transmit to the House copies of reports of commanders of regiments, brigades and divisions engaged at the battle of Shiloh.

The bill for the recognition of Hayti and Liberia was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

On motion of Mr. Colfax, of Ind., the Judiciary Committee were instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for punishing all contractors guilty of defrauding the Government with penalties similar to those for grand larceny.

Mr. Ashley, of Ohio, reported back from the Committee on Territories, the bill to prevent the practice of polygamy, and annul certain acts of the legislature of Utah, establishing the same. The bill passed.

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Operations at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.—Thirty-five hundred men are now employed at this yard. The fine new sloop-of-war Adirondac is nearly ready for sea.

The frigate Roanoke is in the dry dock, and is undergoing alterations which will soon fit her to receive a new coat of iron mail. Workmen have cut down her sides to a point not far from the water line. At this point a bomb-proof deck will be built, and two or more turrets, like those on the Monitor, placed thereon.

The immense hull of the vessel, which will be lightened as much as possible, is strong enough to bear a vast weight of iron, and to carry it with ease. Her timbers and fastenings are entirely sound, and as firm, apparently, as when she was built. She will become a valuable addition to our iron-clad fleet. A portion of her plating is now ready.

The new iron-clad gunboat Galena recently received her armament, which is more formidable and destructive, in some respects, than was ever before placed on board a war vessel, and she has left the port.

WEDNESDAY
APRIL 30, 1862
NEW HAMPSHIRE PATRIOT & STATE GAZETTE

A Camp of Females at Island No. 10.—One of the features of the deserted rebel camp was a peculiarity which we have not met with heretofore. On a beautiful hill surrounded by beautiful groves, budding wild flowers, and the accompanying charms of a rural retreat, we found a bevy of nymphs encamped and enjoying soldierly life, in real earnest. There were twelve or fifteen of them, of different ages, but all young, and more or less fair to look upon. They sat around the camp fire, and cooked their breakfast, a little dishevelled and rumpled, as might, perhaps, be expected, in remembrance of the scenes of excitement they had passed through, but yet as much composed, and as much at home, as though they had campaigned it all their lives. There was a stray lock of hair hanging here and there, an unlaced bodice granting chary glimpses of vast luxuriance of bust, a stocking down at the heel, or a garter with visible downward tendencies—all of which was attributable to our early visit. There were all the marks of femininity about the place. The embowering trees were hung with hoop-skirts and flaunting articles, which, in the distance, looked like abbreviated pantaloons. A glance at the interior of the tents showed significant disorder. Dimity and calico, silk, feathers and all the appurtenances of a female boudoir were visible. It was a rara avis in terra—a new bird in the woods.

These feminine voyageurs were real campaigners. The chivalry of the South, ever solicitous for the sex, could not resist the inclination for  its society, and hence the camp of nymphs by the river side, in the embowering shade, et cetera. I will not say much for their fair fame, or for the good name of the Confederate officers whose baggage was mingled in admirable confusion with the rumpled dignity and calico, whose boots and spurs hung among the hoop skirts and unmentionables, and whose old hats ornamented the tent-poles or decked the heads of the fair adventurers. It was a new feature in war.—Cor. Island No. 10.

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“A New Thing.”—The people of Massachusetts are to be assessed nearly $1,800,000, by the State Government, to meet expenses growing out of the war. This is in addition to the national tax, under the bill now before Congress, which will be four or five times as much. Yet upon this comparatively small State tax the Boston Advertiser remarks:

“A State tax of eighteen hundred thousand dollars is a new thing in Massachusetts. It is just double the largest tax ever yet assessed here. Its magnitude reminds us painfully of those more modest figures once so familiar, and recalls to mind—as a sort of golden age, known by tradition and not to be repeated in this cycle of events—the happy years when the bank tax, with a few odds and ends of revenue, kept in motion the whole machine of State government. The people who pay the money must take the matter into their own hands, and hold to a rigid accountability and to strict economy those who are entrusted with the management of their municipal expenses.”

The Beginnings.—Ninety-seven “contrabands” arrived in Philadelphia last week, and three hundred more re expected there in a few days. An effort is making to have tem employed in the Navy Yard and on other government work. The matter is to be brought before Congress; a committee in the Senate has already reported a bill authorizing the employment of Negroes to carry the mails. The Negro equality doctrine is to be carried out as far and as fast as possible. This movement is producing disaffection among white laborers in some places. In Ohio the influx of Negroes has been so great that even Republicans have petitioned the Legislature to prohibit their coming into the State.—Portland Argus.

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Picture of Republicanism by a Republican.—Official stealing has become popular. Men seek positions not to serve the public, but themselves and their friends. They first “feather their own nests,” and then look out for all their relatives. The latter are all pensioned on the Government, or furnished a contract out of which they will be sure to realize a “pile.” Put a man in office, and you provide for all his brothers, brothers-in-law, partners and cousins. They are in for “the spoils.”

No doubt there are a great many persons in the country acquainted with the value of vessel property, but among them all no man was deemed by the Secretary of the Navy so competent as his brother-in-law, Geo. D. Morgan, to whom about $70,000 were paid for one or two weeks’ labor. We dare say it was thought best that this money should be retained in the family. What’s the use of holding a place in the Cabinet unless something can be made out of it, either by the occupant or his friends? Custom sanctions acts of this character, and who’s going to stand out against custom?

There is plundering in every department of the Government—plundering at Washington and plundering at Albany—plundering among the State and federal officials—plundering in high places and low ones—among Governors and the tide-waiters⁴--among Members of Congress and their appointees; all who are privileged to serve the public deem themselves also commissioned to make all they can out of the positions they occupy. The “grab game” is considered entirely legitimate and proper, and the individual who complains is set down as some ill-natured, cross-grained, disappointed office-seeker, who, having been left “out in the cold,” is dissatisfied because another has been more fortunate than himself. So the upright obtain no credit for being so; they are accounted honest for the simple reason that they have no opportunity for being dishonest.—N. Y. Reformer.

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The Old Flag Waves Over the Grave of Gen. Jackson.—It will gratify all who revere the Stars and Stripes, to know that the honored old flag, which Andrew Jackson so gallantly saved and made victorious over its foes at New Orleans, is once more unfolded to the breeze above the hero’s grave at the Hermitage in Tennessee. “Thus be it ever.”

THURSDAY
MAY 1, 1862
THE PITTSFIELD SUN (MA)

From Yorktown

April 26, via Baltimore, 27.—It is still raining, making the roads next to impassable. The rebels opened their battery at Yorktown this morning on three canal boats while passing into Wormley’s Creek. The 19th shell exploded in one of the boats without injuring anyone, when apparently satisfied, they ceased firing.

Capt. Wm. Bartlett, acting Lieut. Colonel of the Mass. 20th, was shot before Yorktown on Wednesday and had his left leg amputated. He came to Baltimore Friday and is doing well.

Col. Crocker ad Major Cassidy, of the 93rd N. Y. regiment, on Thursday P.M., passed through our outer pickets. Letters have been received from them to the effect that they are safe and well, and seem to be much pleased with the cordial reception they received. The sentry told them he was the outer guard. The affair will undergo investigation. Everything is remarkably quiet.

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Look Out.—Experiments have been made at West Point with a new projectile, made for the 11 inch Dahlgren guns of the Monitor. At a distance of 50 yards a shot went through a solid plate of wrought iron 8 inches thick, and knocked over a pile of pig iron back of it. The plating of the Merrimac is but five inches thick, and such a shot would send her to the bottom.

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A letter to the Journal of Commerce, from Washington, contains the following:

“During a walk through the Treasury Department the other day, I found that there were employed there, in clipping Government notes, no less than 45 ladies. This custom of employing ladies instead of men, where it can be done, was inaugurated by Secretary Chase, and is creditable to his heart and head.”

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A fat cow from Granby became wild on her way to the butcher’s in Chicopee Falls, on the 23d inst., and seeing some children at a  school-house on the north side of the river, she ran at and gored two of the little ones, taking on her horns and throwing them repeatedly against the house. No one was injured very badly. About a dozen other children hid in the woodshed until the furious animal was driven away.

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Dog days in Massachusetts commence May 1st, when all dogs who have honest masters are licensed by the clerks of each city or town to live another year, provided $1 is paid for gentleman canines and $5 for the other sex, and collars put on them with suitable inscriptions. All unlicensed and unlabelled dogs exist only upon sufferance, and are exposed to be transformed into sausage meat at any moment.—Springfield Republican.

Self-Respect in the Dining Room.

Where the things in common use are much inferior to those paraded before company, the family live in continual dread of accidental visitors, and meal time is a season of secrecy. A ring at the door bell produces the greatest consternation; the mistress of the house snatches up a broken dish and puts it in the closet, tells one daughter to hide the pitcher that has lost its handle, and another to carry away the odd plates and common spoons, while she runs to the sideboard for better ones to supply their places. It is only a false note after all, so the scramble was for nothing. Now, would it now be more refined and dignified, as well as more honest and comfortable, to live better every day and make less parade before company? Instead of using ordinary ware and part of several broken sets of different patterns, when alone, and having a very expensive set of French porcelain in the closet for state occasions, would t not be better to have blue and white India ware all the time? That can always be matched, and by using the same as best and common, you will never have a motley assemblage of dishes and plates to be used up. If you can afford to have expensive table furniture laid by for company, you can afford to use whole dishes and handsome spoons every day, and by so doing you will escape a great many uncomfortable feelings, and be far more likely to be hospitable and friendly. A person should have too much self-respect to use anything when alone that is unfit for her condition, or to wish to conceal anything that belongs to it. If you think it right to continue the use of any utensil of glass or china after it has been marred by some accident, do it openly; care not who sees it. If you are ashamed to have it seen, be ashamed to use it at all; a proper self-respect requires this.—Mrs. Farrer’s Young Lady’s Friend.

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A gentleman arrived in St. Louis on Wednesday, who was in New Orleans on Friday the 11th, ult. He came north through Gen. Mitchell’s lines near Huntsville. He reports a terrible condition of things in the Crescent City. Pork was selling at $50 per barrel; flour $18 to $20; coffee at 75 cents per pound; tea, of the poorest quality, at $2 to $3 per lb.,--the poorer classes subsisting on herbs. Common calicoes at thirty to thirty-five cents per yard; confederate scrip at 63 cents discount for coin. There were great numbers of Union men in the city, who only await the appearance of the stars and stripes to declare themselves.

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The Committee on Contracts

A Washington correspondent of the N.Y. Journal of Commerce, noticing the remarks of Mr. Dawes, in the House of Representatives, on Friday, answering the charge of Mr. Stevens, against the Committee on Contracts, says:

“One confession that he made was truly startling. He said more money had been stolen from the Treasury during the first year of the Republican party, than was taken during the whole four years of the late Administration.”

This is certainly an important admission, coming as it does from a member of a party that had no limit to its abuse of Democrats, and professed such great anxiety, previous to the last Presidential election, to “restore the purity of the fathers!”

FRIDAY
MAY 2, 1862
THE CALEDONIAN (VT)

A Springfield Surgeon Visits Pittsburg Landing

We do not know as we shall ever weary of reading about the battle at Pittsburg Landing. New incidents come to light every day, all going to show the terrible carnage there, and the criminal negligence of our officers. The Springfield Republican says:

“Dr. Breck of this city left for Pittsburg Landing, by direction of the state authorities, to assist in the surgical care of the wounded in the great battle at that place. He returned on Saturday, after an absence of a fortnight. Having found nearly all the wounded already sent to hospitals at Cairo and elsewhere, he only spent a few days on the ground, and then turned his face homeward. The accounts that he brings of the results of the battle are terrible beyond any description we have seen. From notes which he has written for us, and from conversations with him, we gather for our readers such statements as cannot fail to be read by them wit great interest.”

Speaking of the battle ground, Dr. Breck says:

“The whole surface is covered with mounds and graves, where the dead are buried t a vastly greater number than the world will ever know. The almost fabulous accounts given by the burial parties could not be credited without a view of this immense charnel house. Often, in passing over the field, one comes upon a grave in which the occupant is so slightly covered that the head or one or more hands are seen protruding. Bodies are still brought in, every day, of those who have lain uncovered since the battle—bodies of those who have crawled away wounded to die in secluded places. There are a thousand dead horses still unburied. The atmosphere is so loaded with the fetor of animal decomposition, as to be almost insupportable.

“During the shelling of our gunboats on Sunday night, after the first day’s fight, a piece of woods was set on fire, burning over a surface hardly more than an acre, on which were afterwards found the charred corpses of over five hundred rebels. Some of those doubtless had been wounded, but the flames closed the scene over them all. The number of dead upon the field has been variously estimated, and will probably never be ascertained. Dr. Breck conversed with many who had charge of the burial parties, and they all agree that two thirds of all found dead upon the field were rebels. An intelligent and truthful officer, and acquaintance of Dr. Breck, assured him that, in a little ravine which he pointed out to him, he counted three hundred rebel corpses, and fifty of our men, and the doctor estimates the number buried upon the battle field at not far from 8000! Two out of every three of these are rebels, and this, it must be remembered, leaves uncounted the dead they took away with them. The mortality among the wounded is very large. Of six hundred and fifty upon one boat, two hundred died before they reached Cairo.

“General Halleck is the idol of his army, and is as much a gentleman as a soldier, and presents the highest type of both. He has pitched his tent in the field of his army, about a mile from the landing, and, come rain or sunshine, he shares it with them. All this is very much unlike Gen. Grant, who, on the morning of the memorable Sabbath day’s battle, was quietly breakfasting in a fine brick house in Savannah, ten miles from the scene of conflict and carnage, and did not reach the field until four hours after the battle commenced. The authority for this statement is the captain of the steamer who conveyed him from Savannah to

Pittsburg Landing. During a stay of five days at Pittsburg, in constant intercourse with officers of every grade, the doctor did not hear a respectful word spoken of Gen. Grant. They openly charged him with the responsibility off awful sacrifice of life that had taken place—in other words, for Sunday’s surprise and defeat. Had not the rebel army been held in check on Sunday night by the gunboats and a pair of siege guns on shore, which were kept firing all night, and the reinforcements of Buell and Wallace come in, Grant’s entire command would inevitably have been bagged—an army of 38,000 men. The officers are at a loss for language sufficiently severe to characterize the conduct of Grant. They laugh heartily at the notice in the New York Herald, of his riding about the field, flourishing his sword, &c. They say that the only demonstration of that character which he made was at the landing among the panic-stricken soldiers—men who paid no more attention to his words than they would have done to the buzzing of a mosquito.”

It will be recollected that it was Col. Peabody (a Springfield boy) who was so confident that there was danger of a surprise from the rebels that he posted pickets late Saturday night, on his own responsibility. It was this act alone that prevented the enemy from taking that division completely by surprise and slaughtering them in their tents.

“Col. Peabody was buried where he fell, in the fore front of the battle. He was in the advance, and received the attack. With only four regiments he kept the enemy’s center, commanded by Beauregard himself, at bay for two hours, and finally fell, being killed outright by a cannon-ball. It is known where he was buried and a casket is left for his removal whenever his disinterment becomes practicable. Just as Col. Peabody fell, the lieutenant colonel of the 25th Missouri (Peabody’s regiment) had his horse shot from under him, and he mounted Col. Peabody’s horse, and still retains it, both having lived through the battle. All accounts concur awarding unmeasured praise to our lost Springfield boy. It was owing to him alone that the rebels found a man awake to meet them. It was his scouts that brought the news of the coming of the enemy in force, and for even this scouting service Gen. Prentiss blamed him, for bringing on an engagement prematurely.

“Our force now on the ground is large—probably large enough. Gen. Pope has already joined the army with his reinforcements. There seems to be no question about the superiority both of our men and our arms. Our Union soldiers were all wounded with small round balls, many of them no larger than a pea. Several who were shot through the lungs with these balls seem to be doing well. The rebel wounded are torn pitifully by the Minié balls, and this partly accounts for the greater loss of life among the enemy. There is no doubt that the battle of Pittsburg Landing is the greatest of modern battles. Bull Run was only a fitting prelude to it. In Sunday’s fight there were at least 75,000 rebels pitted against our 28,000. They were hurled upon our troops in masses that were overwhelming. The next day, after our reinforcements came in, the rebels fought until 2 o’clock in the afternoon, desperately, and not till then did they show signs of retreating. There was no rout, but the enemy fell back in good order, and our men were much too tired and too crippled to pursue. The army is confident now in itself and confident in its general, and we shall have a good account, both of general and army, in the terrible conflict yet to take place.”

SATURDAY
MAY 3, 1862
THE NORWICH MORNING BULLETIN (CT)

A Whittling Regiment.—Yankees, it is said, can turn their hands to anything; it would seem at least, that our Connecticut men can, and that the brave soldiers we had sent forth are bound to have an active part in any fight which takes place near them, if not with cannon and rifles, they go in with their Jack knives, as witness the following from the Port Royal special correspondent of the N.Y. Times. The regiment spoken of did not have any place assigned to it in the attack on Pulaski, but the 7th had charge of three of the mortar batteries. The correspondent says:

“On the night of the 9th, I rode with Lieut. Porter through the batteries; his object was to ascertain if it would be possible to open fire at sunrise in the morning. We visited each battery in two and Porter went around to each gun to ascertain if its captain was prepared with whatever would be necessary on the morrow. Some wanted one implement, and some another; these had no priming-wire, and those no friction-tube; all the thousand little needs that spring up invariably in an emergency were imperious; lists were made out and sent to headquarters, and officers assured that everything possible should be obtained, and the rest must be dispensed with. At the 10-inch mortar battery fuse plugs were still wanting, and the ordnance officer was in despair. He had brought out a specimen of one prepared for another piece, in hopes it might serve; and although one trial doubtless convinced him how vain were his hopes, persisted in poking his plug again and again into the hole; but it was of no use. Here were these four pieces at this most advanced position rendered utterly useless. Not one could be fired. Finally, a happy thought struck him; there was a Yankee regiment on the island; all Yankees are whittlers; f this regiment could be turned out to-night they might whittle enough fuse-plugs before morning to fire a thousand rounds. So we put spurs to our horses, rode (in the darkness) bravely over the open space which separates the batteries back to camp. The Sixth Connecticut was ordered out to whittle, and did whittle to advantage, providing all the plugs that were used in Battery Totten on the two succeeding days.”

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England has lost quite a little sum by the war in the United States, and it is not to be wondered at that she should feel a little sore about it. The dispatch of troops to British North America, in view of a war with this country, cost $4,250,000. In addition to this, in 1860, the exports to the United States amounted to $108,335,000; in 1861 they fell to $45,290,000—diminution in one year of $63,045,900. Still greater than this is the loss of the raw material of the industry of England, cut off by the blockade of the Southern States. A decline of revenue has also resulted from the war, and, to enhance this loss, it is now admitted that the immense wooden fleet of England, upon which so much money has been expended, is useless; and the same is true of her fortifications.

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The effect of the rebel conscription act upon the people of East Tennessee has been to drive most of the male population into exile. The Richmond Dispatch of April 28^th says: “Our accounts from East Tennessee represent that the conscription act has occasioned an intense commotion among the milk and water patriots of East Tennessee. Whole counties are rising up and moving towards Kentucky. Such is the harvest that springs from the teachings of that double-eyed traitor (well called Apollyon)⁵ Brownlow. Gen. Smith is doing what he can to arrest the stampede, but, as a correspondent informs us, it is like ‘damming the Nile with bulrushes.’ "

The deliverance of this long-suffering people will come in good time; we hope it will be swift.

The Battle at Yorktown—Although the community are in daily expectation of hearing of the commencement of the attack upon Yorktown, it appears that this anticipation is not shared by all who are upon the ground. We give an extract from a recent letter from that point:

“It will not be inappropriate to say that all reports tending to an immediate general engagement of Gen. McClellan’s army before Yorktown, are incompatible with present purposes and preparations, and it will be at least twenty days before any important movement will be inaugurated by our generals. But should the enemy, meantime, incline to a coup de main, they will not find us unprepared and lethargic as this paragraph may lead them to suppose. The hourly expectionists may rest at ease from all anxiety for at least three weeks; meanwhile, we prepare for them a dish, which will prove ample compensation for their patience.”

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A Patriotic Old Soldier.—For Macon was taken possession of by the Confederates one year ago last Monday (April 14), at which time the fortification was garrisoned by four individuals—Sergeant Alexander, who has seen some thirty years’ honorable service in the army, his wife, and two subordinates. With this small force of course resistance was out of the question. It is related of the Sergeant that when he was called upon to surrender the fort to the rebels, he expostulated and raised many objections to the unlawful course pursued by the rebels, and when he was finally made to understand that he would have to surrender the premises, he was deeply affected. Upon taking leave of his old quarters he reported to his superiors at Washington, asking for orders, in reply to which he was recommended to remain at Beaufort. Here he has dwelt for the past year, subjected to the flings and jeers of the conceited secessionists.

On the arrival of Major Allen in Beaufort with the Federal soldiers, Sergeant Alexander immediately reported himself and offered his services in whatever capacity they might be deemed most advantageous. He strongly urged that he might have an opportunity of helping retake the fort, and Gen. Parke has assigned him a position where the old soldier may have an opportunity of aiding in recapturing the work which cost him so much humiliation to surrender to rebellion. While quietly awaiting the course of events here he had never given up the belief that the “old flag” would again triumphantly wave over the fort, and this he, at several times, told his violent denunciators. He could thus talk at the commencement of the rebellion, but of late the heated state of the public mind in the southern city rendered it advisable, as well as prudent, for him to hold his peace. Although an object of some suspicion, he was never molested, except derisively, but now he has found his deliverance and gladly re-enters the service of Uncle Sam.

¹ Courtesy of Farragut and the U.S. Navy.  Butler was not involved in the battle at Head of Passes against forts Jackson and Phillip, nor in the initial landing at New Orleans. Union sailors and marines occupied the public buildings, (i.e., the mint, the customs house, &c.), until Butler’s arrival two weeks later—when he declared victory.

² The reporter is assuming that Gen. Butler and the Union regiments from New England made both the assaults on the forts as well as the capture of New Orleans. They did not—see previous footnote.

³ Decks were strewn with sand before battle so that blood would not make the deck slippery.

⁴ A “tide-waiter” is a Customs Inspector.

⁵ The Greek name, meaning "Destroyer," given in Revelation 9:11 for "the angel of the bottomless pit" (in Hebrew called Abaddon), also identified as the king of the demonic "locusts" described in Revelation 9:3-10. ref. http://philologos.org/bpr/files/a009.htm)