SUNDAY
AUGUST 3, 1862
THE TIMES PICAYUNE (LA)

A Whisper to Gentlemen.
By Fanny Fern

Jupiter Ammon! don’t I wish I was a man, just to show the masculines how to play their part in the world a little better! In the first place there ain’t a  mother’s son of you that has got as far as A B C in the art of making love, (and I’ve seen a  few abortions¹ in that way myself, as well as the rest of the sisters.) What woman wants to be told that “her feet and eyes are pretty,” or “her form and smile bewitching?” Just as if she didn’t know all her fine points as soon as she is tall enough to peep into a looking glass!

No, you indelible donkey, if you must use the small coin of flattery to pay toll at the bridge of her affections, let me whisper a secret in your long ears. Compliment her upon some mental attraction she does not possess, (if you can find one,) and don’t wear the knees of your pet pants threadbare at her feet, trying to make her believe that she is your first love. We all know that is among the things that were, after you were out of your jacket and trowsers.

What a splendiferous husband I (Fanny) should make, to be sure! had Providence only ordained it! Do you suppose when the mother of my glorious boys wanted a six-pence to buy their shoe-strings, I scowl at her like a hyena, and pull my porte-monnaie² out of my pocket as if I were drawing a tooth? Do you suppose when her blue eyes grew lusterless, and the rose paled on her fair cheek, trotting around the domestic tread-mill day after day, that I’d come home at night sulky and silent, and smoke my cigar in her face till her eyes were as red as rabbits? Or take myself off to a club or a game at nine pins, or any other game, and leave her to the exhilarating relaxation of darning my stockings?

Do you suppose I’d trot along like a loose pony at her side in the street, and leave her to keep up with me or not as her strength would permit? Do you suppose I’d fly into a passion and utter words to crush the life out of her young heart, and then insult her by offering a healing plaster in the shape of a new bonnet? And don’t you suppose, when the anniversary of our wedding day came round, I’d write  dainty little note and leave it on her toilet-tablet, to let her know I was still a married lover.

Pshaw! I’m sick of you all! You don’t deserve the love of a generous, high-souled woman! If you want a housekeeper, hire one and be done with it. If you want a wife—but you don’t.

One woman will answer as well as another to sew on your buttons and straps and strings, and make your puddings and so on and so forth.

Do you suppose we have cultivated our minds and improved the bright and glorious gift of intellect, to the best of our capacity, to minister only to your physical wants? Not a bit of it! When that’s over, we want something rational. Do you ever think of that, you selfish wretch, when you sit with your feet upon the mantelpiece, reading the newspaper all to yourself, or sit from tea time till ten o’clock staring the ashes in the grate out of countenance?

Lord Harry! If I had such a block of a husband I’d scare up the ghost of a lover somewhere, if there’s any wit in a woman!

Ice and Silver.—Some of the families up-town who have been receiving their regular supply of ice, (at a pretty high figure as to price, by the way,) were brought up “all standing” by the dealer’s demand for payment, not in currency as heretofore, but (at the same price) for silver, that is at an advance of 25 per cent. upon the rate agreed upon. This is rather hard, even for a luxury.

On this subject we find in the Advocate, of this morning, the following seasonable and reasonable hint:

Mr. Editor.—I would suggest the propriety of intimating to the public that one of the largest dealers in ice will require gold and silver hereafter in payment for ice sold. It therefore becomes proper that the public should be advised of this intention, so as to prepare accordingly the precious metals in payment for this luxury. The real necessaries of life, such as bacon, pork, flour, &c., can be purchased for currency—that is, the paper of our banks—but for this luxury, the party alluded to, holds most of the little stock on hand. I learn that another house, or parties, dealing in ice, have 1500 tons due here, and I presume the value or currency received for flour and other provisions will be sufficient for them in return. These are matters that interest the public at large, and it is proper they should be duly advised.—A Dealer.

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Robbing the Tars.—A couple of sailors, last night, made their devious way to Dauphin street, and were enticed to abandon the straight and narrow path, and seek lawless pleasures among the Daughters of the Night. This morning they were not on board the Iroquois, as they should have been, and the money which they expected to find in their pockets was clean gone forever. For robbing the Sons of the Sea, Meg Piety, Baltimore Jenny and Susan Parker were arrested and held to answer.

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Foreign Wool.—The rapid advance in the price of raw cotton has undoubtedly accelerated the rise in wool, but there have been other influences tending to the same result. The large amount of clothing needed for the vast army which has been sent to the field, with the waste inseparable from such a profuse supply as has been furnished to the Quartermaster’s Department, has drawn upon the surplus stores of wool, and thus enhanced the market value. The domestic wool growers have realized this season nearly fifty per cent. above the prices of last year, and the wool business has therefore been very prosperous.

MONDAY
AUGUST 4, 1862
THE MACON DAILY TELEGRAPH (GA)

What’s to be Done?

Under the new programme of the Federal leaders, military and civil, hostilities are now to be prosecuted in the South in violation of all the rules of civilized warfare. The persons and property of non-combatants have been outlawed! This decree has gone forth in military proclamations sanctioned by law of Congress and the authority of Lincoln. The unhappy men, women and children of the country invaded by the minions of despotism are to be arrested, and unless they take the oath of allegiance are to be driven from home and country.

All are alike to be despoiled and plundered of their servants and cattle, and whatever may be considered necessary for the subsistence of the Federal army. The track of Lincoln’s legions is thus to be made an unpeopled and solitary waste, and friend and foe alike stripped of food and all the other means of supporting life. This is the kind of war we are to henceforth meet. This state of facts raises the question, what ought to be done? How are we, how ought we to meet this species of warfare? Are we, too, to forget all the obligations of religion and civilization and meet the foe in the very spirit and character which he assumes? He becomes a self avowed robber and incendiary. Are we to treat him as such? or shall we, in respect to ourselves, merely—in regard to our own character as christian people—still uphold the banner of civilized warfare, and meet the raid of the thief, incendiary and cut-throat with the amenities of civilized warfare? What ought we to do? What in respect to our own interests is it best to do? If we accept the enemy’s own proposition, nothing is left but mere butchery. If we decline it in favor of humanity and self respect, then we alone are victims. What should be done?

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The Enemy’s Fleet--
Movements of McClellan’s Army.

The daring exploits of a few members of the Prince George cavalry, on James river, opposite McClellan’s camp, last Saturday morning, has led to greater watchfulness on the part of the enemy, who seem to fear for the safety of their fleet transports.³ All the vessels have been drawn up as near as possible to the northern shore of the stream, where they are protected by gunboats. The belief that a considerable portion of McClellan’s army is being withdrawn for the purpose of reinforcing Pope, gains strength daily. Information has reached us within the past week that large bodies of Federal troops were quietly crossing the Chickahominy and marching down the Peninsula towards Fortress Monroe; but before giving currency to this report, we preferred to await further developments. It is now asserted that observations from the opposite side of James river show that many of the enemy’s tents have disappeared, and it is also noticed that the vessels in front of the camp frequently diminish in number during the night. That some important movement is in progress, seems to be well authenticated; and the utmost caution is observed, with the view of preventing the Confederate authorities from learning its object. It is presumed that McClellan, unwilling to hazard another advance towards Richmond from below, will hold his present fortified position with a sufficient number of men, protected by gunboats, while the business of conquering the “Rebel Capital” will be entrusted to Pope, the idol of the present hour in Yankeedom, who is to have all the men and means necessary to make “short work” of the enterprise.—Richmond Dispatch, 31st.

An Important Order.

As we went to press we received a telegram from Richmond, containing an order from Adjutant General Cooper, reciting Gen. Pope’s, Gen. Steinwehr’s and other Federal Generals’ recent brutal orders, declaring Gen. Pope, Gen. Steinwehr and any commissioned officers acting under these orders, not to be considered as soldiers entitled to exchange under the recent cartel, and if captured to be placed in close confinement, and in case of murder of any citizens, an equal number of them to be hung in retaliation.

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Pitching into the Young Napoleon.

Petersburg, Aug. 1.—A large force of artillery, including many heavy guns, having been placed in position at and below Coggin’s Point and sighted, opened fire on McClellan’s fleet and camp this morning at 1 o’clock. The firing continued fiercely for two hours. The Federal gunboats replied very feebly, doing no damage. At the first round from our guns, every light was extinguished in the fleet. Heavy damage was supposed to have been done, as a great crashing was heard on the river, whether from our balls, or from vessels colliding, is unknown.

The Feds were evidently greatly alarmed. The entire Federal fleet has disappeared this morning, at daylight, and such of McClellan’s  camp as was visible was in great commotion. One man was killed on our side, and six wounded—two belonging to Page’s battery, all caused by an accident to one of our guns. All quiet to-day.

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The cost of raising soldiers under different State authorities varies very much. In Michigan, 1,000 men cost $21,000; in Iowa, 1,000 men cost $22,500; in New York, 1,000 men cost $27,83; in Illinois, 1,000 men cost $42,605; in Wisconsin, 1,000 men cost nearly $100,000. There must have been a “heap of plunder” in the latter State.

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Widow Maloney’s Pig.—“Patrick, the Widow Maloney tells me that you have stolen one of her finest pigs, is that so?”

“Yis, yer honor.”

“What have you done with it?”

“Killed it, and ate it, yer honor.”

“Ah, Patrick! When you are brought face to face with the widow and her pig on judgment day, what account will you be able to give of yourself, when the widow accuses you of theft?”

“Did you say the pig would be there, yer riverence?”

“To be sure I did.”

“Well, then, yer riverence, I’ll say, Mrs. Maloney, there’s yer pig.”

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Meal.

Will be distributed to the poor on Wednesday, 6th inst., by M. S. Thomson.

TUESDAY
AUGUST 5, 1862
LOWELL DAILY CITIZEN & NEWS (MA)

From Washington.—The most important rumor of to-day is, that the rebels have evacuated Richmond and taken up their positions on the James river. This has been believed in Washington for some days past. The reason assigned is that a pestilence had broken out in the city.

In response to a deputation of citizens in Washington, who waited on the President yesterday to urge the acceptance of Negro regiments, the President replied that he would accept them only as laborers. So says the telegraph. Meanwhile we are assured that General Halleck orders General McClellan to employ the colored men, whether bond or free, as will best subserve the loyal cause.

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War Items and Movements, Providence, Aug. 4.—Rhode Island is determined to do her part in fighting the war through to the end. Gov. Sprague has called on the colored citizens to form a regiment as a part of the quota of the state. He will probably accompany them to the field and share its perils with them.

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A Patriotic Example. Messrs. Jordan, Marsh & Co., wholesale dry goods dealers of Winthrop Square, Boston, yesterday offered to each of their numerous clerks who would go to the war, to pay them their full salaries while absent, and to give them back their situations on their return.

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Dabney, the Scout of the Rappahannock.—A correspondent of the N.Y. Evening Post who is with Gen. Pope’s army, has the following notice of a Negro scout,⁴ illustrative of the idea that the Negroes will fight well and faithfully:

One man—the guide in the two exploits of our cavalry—deserves brief mention. He is certainly a marked man—loyal, true and brave to a fault. Virginia may well be proud of him, and the rebels of this vicinity have testified their appreciation by subscribing and offering a reward for his head of fifteen hundred dollars. His skin is somewhat darker than ours, but the front rank of our brave soldiers has willingly given him place, and his services as scout and guide have been invaluable. He was a slave two months ago, and now, at seventy-five cents a day,⁵ he is worth to the government a dozen of the best of us. I notice on his buttons the “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem” of Massachusetts.⁶ The old Bay State need not be ashamed to have her proud motto borne by Dabney, the dreaded scout of the Rappahannock.

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Recruiting has gone forward well the past week, especially in the rural districts. More than half the towns in Berkshire have furnished their full quota. It cannot be doubted that the orders just issued for the immediate drafting of three hundred thousand nine months’ men will greatly stimulate volunteering. In all probability our quota of 15,000 will be in camp or on the march by the 15th. Other states are doing well. Maine is likely to finish up her quota the present week. A Harrisburg dispatch of yesterday says troops are pouring in from all sections of Pennsylvania, by every train.

What Can Women Do?—One thing they can do is to offer to take the places, for the time being, of young men subject to draft, and now occupying positions, the duties of which can be performed by women, with the understanding that the situations will be resumed by the soldiers after their return. Young men, now acting as clerks in the stores, many of them at least, might well make this arrangement.

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Bounty to be Stopped.—By a notice in our advertising columns to-day, it will be seen that the recruiting committee of the city council have voted to stop the payment of bounty money on the 15th inst. Now is the time to enlist, in order to secure the bounty, as no drafted men are paid. You can go into any regiment you desire. Capt. Abbott, in the 2d regiment, wants twenty men, and it is far better to enlist into an old regiment than a new one. Recruiting in this city is getting better, and it is hoped the quota for the first call will be filled this week. “Never, or now.”

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A letter from the Southwest relates that a man near St. Mary shot his brother for waving his handkerchief at the U.S. gunboat Lexington, killing him instantly. The murderer was arrested on complaint of the victim’s wife, by Capt. Gwin. He was then dressed in marine’s clothes, and secured on top of the wheel-house two or three days for the guerrillas to shoot at. Unfortunately they failed to hit him. The chief engineer of the Lexington was killed by a guerrilla-shot from the shore.

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There is an operation in Haverhill a new machine for sewing the soles to the bottoms of shoes, which has heretofore been done by hand, which is capable, by application of steam, of sewing three hundred pairs of shoes per day, and by hand power two hundred pairs. The work is admirably performed and is quite a new era in this part of the business.

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The receipts of cotton at New York overland from the Southwest reach 600 to 1000 bales per day, and altogether 100,000 to 200,000 bales have been received. Some of it bears the marks of fire, having been rescued from the torch of the rebel cotton burners.

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Spirit rations in the Navy will cease after the first day of September next, and distilled liquors are to be admitted on board of vessels-of-war only as medicinal stores, and to be used only for medical purposes and under the direction of medical officers. Five cents per day is to be paid over to each person entitled to the ration in addition to the regular pay.

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The number of females now in the house of correction at East Cambridge is excessively large. In ordinary times, for instance, the women are not usually more than one-fifth of the whole. There are 105 men and 83 women. This increase is caused by to a large extent by the wives of soldiers of poor character, who use the money their husbands send home to get intoxicated upon.

WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 6, 1862
LOWELL DAILY CITIZEN & NEWS (MA)

“The Master Race.”

The rebels still adhere to the insulting assumption that they are the “master race,” and must conquer in the present contest through the superiority of their “blood.” The Richmond Whig of June 25th thus rides this favorite hobby [horse] of the slaveholders:

“Since the great battle of Shiloh, and including it, we have had an almost uninterrupted series of victories. We have encountered the enemy generally with heavy odds against us, and frequently behind intrenchments, but in no single instance, unless it be the unexplained affair at Lewisburg, have Southern troops failed to exhibit superior manhood to the mongrel and many-tongued enemy.

“Indeed the whole experience of the war is an attestation of the truth long since discovered by impartial observers, that the master race of this continent is found in the Southern states. Of a better stock originally, and habituated to manlier pursuits and exercises, they have ruled in affairs of state by force of the stronger will and larger wisdom that pertain to and distinguish superior races of men, while on the field of battle they have in every contest held a priority of place, conceded to them by their present adversaries.

“This natural dominancy of the Southern people has had much to do in bringing on the war. The inferior race, grown strong in numbers and ambitions from prosperity, have revolted against and now seek to overthrow and destroy those whose superiority was a constant source of envy and self-reproach. There is no fiercer malevolence than that of caste, and it is this which has so long stirred the Yankee bile. Always, in the presence of the Southern gentleman, he has felt a strong and painfully repressed impulse to take off his hat. This conscious inferiority has galled the jealous and malignant creature until he has broken out in servile insurrection. He has vainly concluded that his numbers can overwhelm and exterminate the subjects of his envy, and that he, succeeding to the broad acres and liberal habitudes of the Southern gentry, will come to be looked upon as a gentleman, too!

“With us the contest is one for hereditary rights, for the sacred things of home, for the old repute of the better blood—with the Yankee it is a rebellious and infatuated struggle for a place he is unworthy of, for privileges he would degrade, for property he would barter, and for institutions he could neither comprehend nor enjoy. It is the old and never-ending strife between patrician and proletarian, between gentle and vile. It is the offer of battle on a new field of muscle against spirit—numbers against courage. It is not upon Southern soil and among the descendants of Cavaliers and Huguenots that this battle will go in favor of brute force.

“It may be that the armies in front of this city are about to rush into mortal wrestle. When they meet it will not, perhaps, be upon such unequal terms as we have generally encountered. But should there be as great inequality of numbers as on other fields, it may and will be neutralized here as it ever has been, by the superior courage and constancy of our troops.”

Affairs on the Mississippi.

For the last month the operations on the Mississippi have had an unpromising look. Vicksburg was found too strong for our gunboats unaided by a co-operating land force, and the latter, when most wanted, was not available. Farragut’s flotilla no longer threatens Vicksburg. That important point is abandoned, doubtless for sufficient reasons. The mortar boats were wanted at the east. But the worst feature of the affairs on the Mississippi is, that the rebel ram has free range of the river at present, after defying the sluggish attempts of our boats to cripple her. We expect to hear, any day, that the Arkansas has broken up the blockade of the mouth of the Yazoo; this done, three or four other gunboats and rams will be about on their errands of mischief. What they may be able to do down the river, co-operating with rebel land forces, is only [a] matter of painful uncertainty. They may pay their respects to New Orleans.

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Merchants and their Clerks.

About five hundred of the leading merchants of Boston, . . . have signed the following call:
”We, the undersigned, merchants of Boston, realizing the importance of an immediate response to the call of the government for an additional military force, hereby agree that the young men in our employment  who may enlist in the service of the United States, shall on their return from said service, be entitled to the situations they occupied before enlisting.”

Only four merchants refused to sign the call, and one of these stated that he had no doubt that of the twenty-five men in his employ a number would enlist.

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From Harrison’s Landing.

Referring to the night bombardment at this point,⁷ Capt. Rouel, of the steamer Nantasket, writes under date of Aug. 1: “We had last night a very exciting time here. The rebels opened upon the large amount of shipping in the river with shot and shell, and for an hour or more there was a busy time here. They fired from different points, and some thirty shell burst within five yards of us, but the vessel was struck only five times, with but trifling damage, and no one on board was hurt. One vessel near us was hit a number of times, one shell passing through her boiler. On shore, as I hear, twenty-three soldiers were killed and wounded. This was the first night we were without the reach of the gunboats, which had been ordered up the river.

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The Difference.

The militia of the loyal free states and territories is by the census returns stated at about 3,550,000 men. If to that be added one-half of the militia of the slave states in the Union, including Tennessee, 185,000 men, we have a total from which to draft 3,735,000 men. The militia of the rebel states is 550,000; and if we add one-half from the other slaves states, 185,000, it gives a total of 735,000. In reality the available military force of the loyal as against the rebellious states, is not far from four to one.⁸

THURSDAY
AUGUST 7, 1862
THE VERMONT PHŒNIX

Our Army Correspondence.

Algiers, La., July 25, 1862.

Editor Phœnix: The 8th Vt. is passing through the heated term not without sickness, not without death, among its members, yet under circumstances as favorable as the climate will permit, and with a season more healthful than has been known here for many years.

Under bodily weakness and depression of mind, (for the heat tends to produce both) we look eagerly northward for strength. Every cheering word from our army in Virginia, every private letter full of encouragement and hope, and every loyal act of patriotism in our native state, gives us new heart to hold on cheerfully till the cooler weather and the time of vigorous action comes.

I mentioned in a former letter how strangely the numerous amusements, concerts, excursions, &c., noticed in the northern papers, strike us, in contrast with the self-sacrifice and privation manifest in the South. The lengthened resistance of the rebellion to the superior wealth, numbers and resources of the Government is owing to the enthusiasm of the confederate, opposing the comparative apathy of the loyal states.

There is another thing we see. The evil cause of the rebels is strong in the devotion of the women to it. The women of the South are sacrificing comfort and convenience freely in their mistaken enthusiasm, and, more than all else, they say to husband and brother, son and friend—“Go, and stay not back, we offer you; give your lives, if it be necessary, for us and our Southern Rights.” The women of the North must show self-sacrifice for the righteous cause, which is here shown for rebellion.

It is easy to give time, money and work—to knit, to sew, to make jelly and needle-books is pleasant—it is blessed, too—every day our hospital bears witness to the free, thoughtful preparation of woman’s hands for our days of suffering. But it is a harder and a much more blessed thing to contribute men—to send those dearer than ourselves to the scene of danger and of duty, where the fate of the country must be decided ere very long. The mother must say, “Go, my so, and God give you strength.” The wife must say, “Go, my husband, I will care for the children while you do your duty for us and them.” The sister and the betrothed must offer no excuse, but be proud to give brother and friend to their country’s saddest need.

When this is done in our farmhouses, villages and towns, we shall have soldiers enough and, what is more important, of the right stamp.

Let it be understood—for it is true, and every recruiting officer will testify to the fact—that raising another regiment in Vermont depends on the mothers, wives and sisters—on the women of the State.

Can we then doubt how soon and how well the tenth and subsequent regiments will be filled?

THE REBEL PROGRAM.
The War to be Transferred to the North.

The Memphis Bulletin of Wednesday morning has the following from authentic sources, among other interesting items as to the proceedings of the rebels: “We have some inkling of the subjects discussed at the conferences of all the principal rebel military leaders, held in Richmond on the 4th and 5th inst. It is understood they came to the conclusion that they must lose no more territory. The defensive policy of the South thus far was strongly attacked, and Generals Lee and Beauregard advised eh invasion of the north from three points, namely: from Cumberland or Williamsport in Tennessee, from Louisville and Cincinnati into Indiana and Ohio, from Paducah and Cairo into Illinois. It is alleged the following plan of operations for  the summer campaign was decided on:

“First, the immediate obstruction of the James river, to make it impassable for General McClellan to use as a means of reinforcements and army supplies; second, the occupation of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and the entire peninsula; third, the recovery of the whole of the territory of Virginia, and the suppression of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; fourth, the recovery of New Orleans and the Mississippi river, and the expulsion of the federal troops from Tennessee and Kentucky. When these objects have been accomplished, Gens. Lee and Beauregard proposed, fifth, to make the Potomac and Ohio rivers at once their basis of operation and frontier line, and transfer the seat of war from Virginia to Maryland; sixth, to hurl upon Washington from Richmond a column of 200,000 picked troops, and by the capture of that city effect the liberation of the city of Baltimore, and then invade the North from the three points above named. They thus becoming the invaders, hope to make it necessary for us to keep at home, for the defense of our cities, 500,000 troops.”

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American Babies.—I must protest that American babies are an unhappy race. They eat and drink just as they please; they are never punished; they are never banished, snubbed or kept in the background as children are kept with us; and yet they are wretched and uncomfortable. My heart has bled for them as I have heard tem squalling by the hour together in agonies of discontent and dyspepsia. Can it be, I wonder, that children are happier when they are made to obey orders and are sent to bed at six o’clock, than when allowed to regulate their own conduct; that bread and milk is more favorable to laughter and soft childish ways than beef-steak and pickles three times a day; that an occasional whipping, even, will conduce to rosy cheeks? It is an idea which I should never dare to broach to an American mother; but I must confess that after my travels on the western continent my opinions have a tendency in that direction. Beef-steaks and pickles certainly produce smart little men and women, Let that be taken for granted. But rosy laughter and winning childish ways are, I fancy, the produce of bread and milk.—Anthony Trollope.

FRIDAY
AUGUST 8, 1862
THE HARTFORD DAILY COURANT (CT)

From Gen. McClellan.

Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Aug. 7.—At Malvern Hill everything was quiet during yesterday. It was reported last night by deserters and contrabands that the rebels had been moving from the vicinity of Richmond all day in large force towards Malvern Hill for the purpose of retaking the position.

Three thousand exchanged prisoners arrived yesterday from Richmond. Those belonging to this army and fit to do duty were sent to their regiments. The others leave for the north to-day; no officers among them. It is not true that this army is used to protect rebel property as reported in the case of Hill Carter. During the two days battle of Malvern Hill 800 to 1000 wounded Union men had their wounds dressed at this house.

The ladies freely tore up their sheets and pillowcases for bandages while the army was passing. A guard was posted to protect the women and children. The horses and cattle grazed on his farm, and his Negroes are working upon our fortifications. All applications for their return have been refused.

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Statement of a Discharged Rebel Soldier.—The correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, writing from Suffolk, Va., Aug. 5, says:

“A poor, dilapidated looking individual came into Suffolk this morning, direct from Richmond, having received his discharge from the rebel service on account of age and sickness. He had been with the Twelfth Virginia since his enlistment, and was at the battle of Malvern Hill. He states that if we had followed up their retreating masses, we could have occupied Richmond that night. He says the slaughter on their side was dreadful, our shot and shell taking effect at every discharge. Gen. Huger did not want old Magruder to shove the men on to the attack, as he knew the batteries firing at them, and nothing could stop them.

“Gen. Huger was shelled out of his camp while the fight at Malvern Hill was going on, by our gunboats. His soldiers stated that the gunboats were throwing Pennsylvania Dutch bake ovens. The gunboats, with their effective fire, kept the enemy from being reinforced several times, when their reserve was coming up into action. Whenever the shells from the gunboats came near the enemy, they at once became demoralized and unmanageable. They could not stand the pressure.

“The man who stated this to us was quite intelligent, and did not seem inclined to brag like the masses here. He has a wife and five children at Norfolk, and his great desire was to get home to them. He deplored the war, and was very bitter on the Southern politicians and the Northern abolitionists. He thought that South Carolina ought to be sunk into the sea.

“He seems inclined to believe that Beauregard is not in his mind. This seems to be the general opinion in Richmond. It is certain that Beauregard has gone South. The house where Gen. Johnston was taken is the residence of a celebrated physician. The streets, for squares around, were kept clear of vehicles. Many people are inclined to believe that Gen. Johnston is dead. No one has seen him or knows anything about him. Appearances are kept up as though he was very ill.”

The War in Virginia.

According to the correspondent of the New York Express, Gen. Burnside with his forces has landed at Acquia Creek. If it is true, it is probable that he intends to co-operate with Pope either by uniting the two forces or by an independent movement towards Gordonsville. If the story is correct that the rebels are in strong force at the latter point, the necessity of his joining Gen. Pope will be more apparent. The movements of McClellan may, for the present, be merely diversions, both for his own army and that of the rebels. At any rate the confidence in all future motions of the army will be increased by the knowledge that they are guided by one military head.

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A Good Example.—A few evenings since, at a large and enthusiastic meeting of the good people of West Brookfield, Mr. Daniel Spear rose and said: “One year ago I enlisted, but was persuaded to remain at home to administer to the wants of an aged mother and feeble daughter, but now as God has taken them to himself, and as I have no money to give, nor a son old enough, I will give myself,” stepping forward amid immense applause. He signed his name and then remarked: “I leave a dear family—a wife and five children; will you pray for me and care for them?” Eloquent responses were made by several gentlemen of mind and means, accompanied with prolonged cheering.—Worcester Spy.

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Arrest of Deserters.—For the information of those concerned, the Q. M. General desires us to state that it will not be necessary for persons authorized to arrest deserters, under provisions of general orders Nos. 86 and 96 from the Adjutant General’s office, to present their bills at his office in person, if so doing will involve additional expense to them.

After the delivery of the prisoner is made, the bill, with its proper vouchers, can be mailed to him, and if correct, the amount will be promptly remitted by mail. State newspapers please copy.

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Some extraordinary developments of latent treason have been made in Indiana. It appears the grand jury for the United States District Court of that State, at Indianapolis, have just presented a secret organization called the “Knights of the Golden Circle,” whose purposes are declared to be treasonable. The Grand Jury show that there are 15,000 members of an order directly in league with the secessionists of the South. They have plans to avoid or defeat legal proceedings against them; they are sworn to resist the collection of federal taxes, and go armed to their meetings. The Indianapolis Journal states, on this latter point, that during the late Copperhead Convention no less than five hundred revolvers were sold. Sixty of these men have been indicted—sixteen of them for treason.

SATURDAY
AUGUST 9, 1862
THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER

The Reoccupation of Malvern Hill.
[Correspondence of the New York Times.]

Army of the Potomac,
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1862.

An important movement took place yesterday, resulting in the Union troops reoccupying Malvern Hill, after an artillery fight of about an hour and a half. The loss was light on both sides.

At 6 o’clock Monday evening Gens. Hooker’s and Sedgwick’s Divisions, the Sixth United States and Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and Bramhall’s, Benson’s, Tatnall’s and De Rusy’s batteries, our entire force being under command of Gen. Hooker, left our line of fortifications, struck upon the Charles City road, and proceeded by that route toward Malvern Hill. Between 11 and 12p.m. the force arrived at Nelson’s Farm, at which place they bivouacked for the remainder of the night, with the intention of early in the morning getting between Malvern Hill and Richmond on the New-Market road so as to cut off the rebel retreat, and successfully attack the enemy on the Hill. The men were in high spirits, full of energy and demonstrated in several ways that they were heartily relishing the undertaking. Although they had travelled a distance of twelve miles, the hours of march were so fitly chosen that they reached Nelson’s Farm without exhaustion or fatigue, and were enabled to spread their blankets on the ground and enjoy the luxury of a few hours sleep before resuming the march, and commencing the attack in the morning.

Nelson’s Farm is distant about four miles from Malvern Hill. Our force stationed pickets in every direction, and the utmost vigilance was exercised to prevent surprises.

The enemy was also on the alert, and, according to the statement of prisoners, had been made aware of our presence and intentions, either by information given by their own pickets, or through some other channel. A rebel picket was shot about three-fourths of a mile from the Union bivouac. The prisoners assert that they knew sufficiently of our movements at 12 o’clock Friday night, to fully appreciate their hazardous position and make arrangements for reinforcements. Consequently, Gen. Toombs’s Division, which was encamped some five miles north of Malvern Hill, was notified of the condition of affairs, and received orders to join the force on Malvern Hill at a certain hour the next morning.

At daylight our men were up and ready, and shortly after proceeded toward the north side of Malvern Hill. When arrived within about a mile of the Hill, the enemy opened upon them with shell and solid shot from four pieces of field artillery. The firing commenced at a little before 7 o’clock. Benson’s and Bramhall’s batteries of six pieces each were immediately got into position, and a rapid, vigorous fire was returned for that of the enemy. The firing was continued until about 8 o’clock, as fast as the men could load and discharge the guns, when the enemy withdrew his pieces. Little loss was sustained on either side. Among our wounded is Capt. Benson, of Benson’s Battery, who was struck in the chest and leg by a shell discharged from one of his own guns. The fight was wholly with the artillery, the infantry acting as supports.

When the enemy had ceased firing, and men advanced to and occupied the Hill. We captured sixty of the rebel infantry. The rebel force amounted to two regiments of infantry, two of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery. Nearly the entire force managed to escape towards Richmond by taking a road running along the bank of the James River. We had no knowledge of the road, consequently it was unguarded. Toombs did not get his force to the Hill from the fact of his being behind time, or because the Union force was ahead of him. He was coming up the New Market road at the time our force was marching up to occupy the Hill. This was a complete cut-out on our part. Toombs did not venture to follow, but wheeled his men right about, and marched back in double-quick toward his camp.While the artillery were engaged, our cavalry were scouting the woods in all directions, but did not meet with the enemy in force. A stray fragment of shell seriously wounded Lieut—Col. Gamble of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry. He was struck in the chest.

The enemy had some slight earthworks on Malvern Hill, but they were on the south side, or the side facing Turkey Bend, and, of course, were of no benefit to them.

From an exterior line, at Berkley to Malvern Hill, it is five miles by a direct road.

Four stragglers, belonging to Sedgwick’s Division, while roaming in the woods, came across six mounted rebel cavalry, whom the stragglers took prisoners. They disarmed them, made them dismount, and rode their horses into camp.

The rebel rams have disappeared up James River.

Our gunboats went some distance beyond Malvern Hill yesterday, and shelled a rebel encampment, but with what result is not known.

I has just ascertained that our loss yesterday was six or seven killed and twenty-four wounded.

[Correspondence of the New York Tribune.]

If the design was to capture the enemy in a body, it failed. Nevertheless the results are important. We again threaten Richmond. We captured fifty, perhaps, of those lurking within our lines; we hunted out of the woods five times that number; killed and wounded sixty that are in our hands, and doubtless have given the enemy a good scare. He probably was astonished at such audacity in this army.

Our loss will reach 40 killed and wounded. Here is a partial list:

Killed—Ed. F. Jones, Co. G, 11th Mass.; John Nolan, Co. G, 11th Mass.; John Dugan, 8th Illinois Cavalry; Sergt. O.J. Morse, 8th Ill. Cavalry.

Wounded—Lieut.-Col. Gamble, 8th Ill. Cavalry, severely; Capt. Benson, of Benson’s regular Battery, severely; W.E. Jeffrey, CO. G, 11th Mass., thigh; Sergt. Wm. P. Price, 11th Mass., arm; Marcus M. Holmes, 11th Mass., ankle; John Towle, 11th Mass., slightly; James H. Sutcliffe, 11th Mass., slightly.

The casualties in the 11th Massachusetts were all by a single shell. Besides the above, the 16th Massachusetts lost seven or eight, and the 26th Pennsylvania as many.

We picketed last night nearly or quite to White Oak Swamps, and some distance up the river. The men are immensely elated at regaining old battlefields.

¹ Meaning “total failures.”

² Wallet or change purse.

³ See 6 August for a report on this engagement from the Yankee perspective—in which it is reported the gunboats were not present.

⁴ An entirely true story, as evidenced in “Dabney, the Colored Scout,” in The Blue Coats and How They Lived, Fought and Died for the Union, Capt. John Truesdale, (Philadelphia, Jones Bros & Co., 1867), pp. 419-421. Dabney’s wife also served as a spy for the Union; ref. http://www.duboislc.net/read/Dabneys.html.

⁵ This is more than the average white Union private was being paid per diem.

⁶ The official motto of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, usually loosely translated as “by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.” The literal translation is “she seeks with the sword a quiet peace under liberty.”

⁷ See 4 August for a report on this engagement from the Confederate point of view.

⁸ It’s actually almost exactly five to one.