SUNDAY
MAY 10, 1863
THE DAILY PICAYUNE (LA)

Witchcraft in Chicago.

The Chicago Post, of April 9, says:

A few days ago a case was put on trial before a jury in Judge Higgins’s branch of the Superior Court. The parties were Christian Wulz vs. Nelson Morris, and the action was brought on a promissory note for $100. The evidence disclosed that the plaintiff was a doctor, who undertakes to cure diseases by sympathy and supernatural means. The defendant had a wife badly afflicted with St. Vitus’s dance.¹ The plaintiff undertook to cure her. One witness (the parties were all Germans) testified that he belonged to that old and almost extinct profession of surgical barbers, including in his practice some branches of dentistry and blood drawing. He was taken by the plaintiff to the home of the defendant for the purpose of bleeding the wife of the latter. Dr. Wulz directed that the woman be bled, and that half an ounce of the blood drawn from her should be put in a vial for him. The surgical witness stated that the woman was then in bed and laboring under her peculiar disease, and looked so ill and weak that for some time he hesitated to bleed her. The doctor, however, insisted upon it, and after some objections on his part, he bled the woman. Half an ounce of the blood was put in a small bottle and corked by the doctor, who uttered over it what the vulgar would call incantations, but the learned would say were words of mysterious potency. He then said to the husband that the woman would get well; that in ten days she would be able to ride out, and that if he was paid at the end of ten days two hundred dollars, she would be entirely cured within sixty days.

In six days he was present again, that is there were witnesses who were present at an interview at the end of six days. The woman had improved considerably. At this or some other interview he stated that to effect this cure would require of him the most violent physical labor–that every night he walked out North Clark street to the cemetery; that if, while proceeding to that rather gloomy place of resort he met any person who spoke to him, he was obliged to retrace his steps and commence his journey over again from the place of beginning. That when he reached the cemetery he proceeded to a tree in the north end of the enclosure, where he met the devil, with whom he at once entered into a physical struggle for the possession of the bottle containing the half ounce of blood! These struggles he represented to be very severe ones, he having not only to defend himself against the immense strength but also the sharp strategy of the devil. If he could prove successful in these nightly struggles with the devil and keep the bottle of blood out of the possession of the latter, the cure was a certainty. At all the visits of the doctor described by the witnesses, he marked the walls and the doors, and perhaps other parts of the house, with signs and figures to protect it from evil influence. The physical struggle in the tree continued always until the devil gave up for the night.

On the tenth day the woman had so far improved that she was able to go out riding, and general appeared in a fair way of recovery. The husband felt his confidence in the doctor’s peculiar skill much increased. The latter reported that he had vanquished the devil, and was now ready to guarantee a perfect cure. But business was business, and doctors, like other people, required to be paid for their labors. He asked $100 in gold to be paid down that day, and $100 to be paid at the end of sixty days, if the woman was cured. The husband fondly expecting to have his wife cured of her disagreeable malady, and confident in the doctor’s ability to work a cure–a man who had worsted the devil in a hand to hand struggle up a tree for ten consecutive night certainly had extraordinary powers–agreed to the terms. He paid him $100 in gold, and gave his note for one hundred more, to be paid if his wife was permanently cured at the end of sixty days.

During the sixty days the health of the woman varied very much. At the expiration of that time she was in better general health than when the doctor was first called in, but was not cured by any means. She was still afflicted with her complaint. The husband refused to pay the note, and for the recovery of the sum mentioned in it this suit was brought. The evidence of the defence showed that between the giving of the note and the trial, the woman had been confined, and that the doctor had warned the defendant that unless the note was paid, the wife and child would be afflicted with the horrible complaint, and that during the period that had elapsed up to the trial, the poor woman had been under the effects of the disease just as much as she had been before Doctor Wulz took charge of her case.->

The mere statement of the case carries with it all the comment that is needed. The pretensions of the “physician” and the credibility of his patients are but the old story. But this case has a sequel for which we doubt whether there is any recorded parallel. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for the $100, interest and cost! That, we consider, is equal to any other part of the case, not excepting the midnight fight with the devil in the cemetery!

It is but justice to add that the case was not argued, and that no instructions were asked from the court.

•••••

Thrilling Incident.–The Lawrence (Mass.) Sentinel publishes the following extract from a letter received from Mr. James Evans Fallon, Third Assistant Engineer on the steam sloop Mississippi, when she was destroyed at Port Hudson on the 14th of March:

I would give you an account of the fight at Port Hudson, but you will have read it in the papers ere this reaches you. On fact I will state–I was standing at my station when a shell burst beyond me, a piece of it hit my sword and broke it short off by the hilt, and it sent the hilt plump into my stomach, which sat me down alongside the bell pull (which was against all rules), and made me see more stars, &c.

Shortly after I was struck with a splinter, which broke one of my ribs, and made me senseless to all outside, but I had my senses. I heard the order given to take me below to the cockpit; then I heard the Surgeon ask them why they brought a dead man down; then I heard the orders given to get all the wounded out of the ship. There I was, laid out among the dead men and amputated limbs, unable to let them know I was alive; all the wounded were taken out, I was left; then they commenced to fire the ship forward and aft. The man who had been detailed to fire her forward passed by me; I thrust out my hand and hit him on the leg; he stopped; I beckoned for him to put his head down, and I whispered to him that I was not dead; he took me up in his arms and put me into a boat, and took me to the Essex; here I lay until daylight, then I was put on board the Richmond, there I was made comfortable by Mr. Dove, of Andover, Third Assistant Engineer of the Richmond.

I am still weak from my injuries, but will soon be all right. I am doing my duty now on the prize steamer Anora.

•••••

Confederate Flags.–D. Fairfax and wife were arrested last evening on a charge of having Confederate flags in their possession.

•••••

The Alabama’s Head Gunner.–A late London letter communicates the following:

I learn that the head gunner on the Alabama is one of the most accomplished artillerists what was ever in the British navy. He was paid off and got his discharge a few weeks before the Alabama sailed, and instead of enlisting in Her Majesty’s navy, took a commission on the pirate for the very round sum of £200 sterling per month, in gold, which, at the present price of Confederate paper, is the moderate salary of $42,000 a year. Really, piracy pays; or, at any rate, it appears to do so for the time being.

MONDAY
MAY 11, 1863
THE MACON DAILY TELEGRAPH (GA)

Recruiting for the Yankees in Ireland.
[York (April 8) correspondence of Saunders’ News Letter of Dublin]

It is now pretty generally known that the feeling of hatred to English rule which has latterly been revived in this country, and of which there were unmistakable evidences on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is the result of the teachings of emissaries who have passed over from the other side of the great ocean, their object being to provoke emigration and get the able-bodied men within the mesh of the provost marshal, who watches their arrival and hurries them away to the field of battle. The treasonable assembling and drilling of large masses which are nocturnally occurring in the outskirts of this city and of the country towns, are preparatory lessons in military tactics, to make them them most ready to serve in the brigades of the Meaghers, the Corcorans, the Houlighans, and the other heroes of whom the history of 1848 records that “they did not fight, but ran away.” The Yankee agents, now prowling among us, have also directed their attention to that half-made war material, the Irish militia. It is asserted that numbers of the men of this force are subsidized to enroll the youth of the country in the nationalist clubs, and then teach them the military drill. Each draft of emigrants which leaves this port is accompanied by militiamen, and so many of the latter have already disappeared that the ranks of the regiments will show marked deficiencies at the forthcoming militia training. The exodus is carried out largely by the ships of the Liverpool, New York and Philadelphia Company, whose vessels leave this harbor mid-weekly for New York; but the number of passengers from the causes above suggested, has so considerably increased that supplemental steamers have had to be placed on the line each of the last three weeks; and instead of the number being six or seven hundred a week, they now offer to the amount of some fourteen or sixteen hundred. This weekly outpour from the port of Cork, it is calculated, will continue during the spring and summer at the rate of some twelve or fifteen hundred human beings per week. The gullibility of the humbler classes of our population is deplorable, as it makes them a ready prey of the wiley; and that those who are now dealing with them as merchantable commodity may not be foiled in their traffic, the dupes are estranged from their Roman Catholic priesthood, who they are deceived to believe are in the pay of the British crown to defeat rebellion, and that it was through their tergiversation the previous rebellion in Ireland had miscarried. Young men’s religious associations and temperance societies, which are under the guidance of clergymen, are now shunned by those imbued with national ideas; and certainly the result which they believe must follow their organization is utopian in the extreme. But the fact is, an idea has been widespread, and not to be removed by argument, that if the sons of Erin aid the Yankees in conquering the Dixies, the former will repay the good services by dispatching fleets and soldiers to Ireland, who will wrest this country from its possessors and hand it over as a reward to those who fight under the republican flag. This is the explanation of “Ireland for the Irish,” and it is the will-o-the-wisp which is alarming hundreds from homes of comfort to perish in the malarious marshes of the invaded States of the great continent, or be shot down when driven forward to face impossibilities, such as the suicidal assault on Fredericksburg, in which the lives of so many Irish were purposelessly sacrificed.

The Confederate Navy in England.

As we predicted, the British Ministry have given very earnest heed to Seward’s warning–such particular heed, in point of fact, that Earl Russell’s decision, avowed in his late correspondence on this subject with Adams, the Lincoln Minister, has been reversed. He therefore scouts at the idea of interfering with the industry of the realm, and making seizures on mere suspicion and ex parte complaints.² There must be proof to justify any interference by the Government. Whatever violent and summary practices might prevail elsewhere, in England the principles of law must be maintained, and no private parties could or should be interfered with except upon the production of evidence that they were violating neutrality.

Equally explicit were the declarations of the Crown Solicitor in Parliament, and yet right upon the heels of all this bold talk, one seizure has been made upon suspicion, the ship yard of Messrs. Laird and Brothers has been put under surveillance, and the London Daily News announces as the new determination of the government, “that in all cases where there is the slightest suspicion that ships are being built for other than neutral powers, they (the police) are to seize such vessels and await the decision of the legal authorities.”

Such is the remarkable efficacy of a “warning” by Seward. It puts domestic and international law alike in a new “aspect” to the ministry–opens their eyes to what they never saw before–and unstops their ears to complaints that long fell unheeded or were made the subject of very piquant intimations that parties so red handed with acts and solicitations to violate British neutrality, were in no position to make noisy complaints upon the subject. But Seward’s “warnings” open the eyes of the British ministry on that subject also, and hereafter English ports will be available only to the Lincolnites. Magnanimous Albion is pretty well cowed.

TUESDAY
MAY 12, 1863
THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN (MA)

Hooker Again Across the Rappahannock.
Attending to the Dead and Wounded of the Late Battles.

The Washington correspondent of the Philadelphia Press under date of May 10th says:

Persons have arrived here from the army of the Potomac leaving there on Saturday evening who state that the army is in the best of spirits with everything readiness to recross the river. Some corps crossed last evening. It is thought the whole army will move together. Having obtained the permission of the president to recross the Rappahannock after demonstrating the importance of the movement, Gen. Hooker asked that his communications might be properly guarded in the rear of his army. The promise to attend to this was given as well as the positive promise that additional means of ammunition and supplies should be furnished and that Gen. Sigel would again lead his troops.

During Wednesday and Thursday, Gen. Hooker detailed several regiments to gather up the wounded and bury the dead on the south bank of the river. These men were relieved constantly, and the work proceeded without intermission. The number of rebels found unburied was very large, and it is believed that no effort was made by the enemy to bury is brave men slaughtered by our artillery during the five days’ battles at Chancellorsville. Fortunately the weather was cool, preventing physical decay, and the rain served as a balm to ease the wounded some of their suffering. The fact that the enemy had left thus suddenly confirms Gen. Hooker in the belief that the rebels had been very much used up, and that they contemplated a retreat if that course was found practicable. Accordingly on Thursday afternoon, before the rain had ceased fully, Gen. Hooker ordered forward across the river, the 1st and t5th corps d’armee under Gen. Sedgwick. Owing to the horrible condition of the roads, but little progress was made, and Gen. Hooker, on Friday, directed his attention to the crossing of the whole army at Banks’ and United States fords. During the day the position of each corps was designated, and Gen. Hooker was busy in giving instructions to his various generals concerning his proposed pursuit, and the capture of Gen. Lee’s army.

Over the Rappahannock Again–No Enemy Found.

At daybreak on Friday morning Gen. Hooker pushed forward two corps of his army across the Rappahannock. When they reached the “wilderness,” the scene of the recent severe conflict, they discovered the woods on fire, and found the charred remains of a large number of soldiers, mostly rebels, who had crept to these woods to avoid being trampled upon by the army in its retreat.

At an early hour Saturday morning, Gen. Hooker completed the crossing of his entire army, together with his artillery and an ample supply of ammunition and stores sufficient to last him eight days. As soon as he was across, the whole seven corps were placed in motion and deployed right and left in search of the enemy, who at the latest dates had not been found in force. Owing to the terrible condition of the roads, the movements of the army must necessarily be slow for a day or two, but the coming week will probably witness the greatest conflict on this continent. Gen. Hooker does not desire reinforcements. It is not believed that Gen. Heintzelman has gone to reinforce Hooker, but there is no doubt that his army is in motion.->

Where are the Rebels?

The question was going around unanswered in the hotels at Washington on Sunday. It is the opinion of the military men that they have fallen back in two columns, one toward Richmond and another toward Gordonsville, in the hope of concentrating with Longstreet’s forces in front of Richmond once more to give us battle. It will take place most probably on or near the upper Pamunkey river, whither Gen. Hooker is moving as rapidly as possible. Many maintain that the James River will be the next line that the rebels will defend. This may or may not be secure, as Gens. Peck, Keyes and Naglee may decide.

•••••

Gen. Halleck to Take the Field.

The New York Evening Post says: We learn by special advices from Washington that Gen. Halleck is about to take the field in person, not, it is understood, with the purpose of relieving Gen. Hooker from his command, but that he may be in the very presence of transpiring events and the better able to influence their general direction. The authority upon which we have this information is usually well informed. It is a significant fact and one that will increase the confidence of the country in Gen. Hooker, that he did not execute his retrograde movement until he had planned his present one, and had become satisfied of its superiority to any effort he could make in the field of Chancellorsville, contracted as it had been by the unfortunate detection of the 11th corps at the commencement of the struggle.

•••••

From Vicksburg.

The rebels report the army of Gen. Grant coming up the Big Black river towards Vicksburg, and claim to have repulsed them on Monday, the 4th, after four hours’ fighting. This may be later than the federal accounts, but it is not certain to be so.

Col. Grierson’s raid down through Mississippi destroyed twelve houses at Bahala, as reported by the rebels. The latter also claim to have ambushed a federal cavalry expedition near Holly Springs, in northern Mississippi, on Sunday, and killed Col. Jennings and captured his horse and papers.

It appears from the rebel accounts that the newspaper reporters and others on the tug destroyed by the Vicksburg batteries, on Sunday week, were all saved by the rebels, and are prisoners.

There is a report that Gen. Pemberton, commander at Vicksburg, had been killed in a quarrel with some of his officers, who accused him of being a traitor, and of letting the Yankee fleet run past the batteries. Of the prospect at Vicksburg the Jackson (Miss.) Appeal says: “No one doubts the ability to defend Vicksburg in front. The attack is now coming from another direction than the front. Vicksburg is in consternation. The possession of the Big Black river by gunboats aroused the acutest fear.”

WEDNESDAY
MAY 13, 1863
PORTLAND DAILY ADVERTISER (ME)

Death of Stonewall Jackson!

Headquarters Army Potomac,
May 12, 1862.

Richmond papers of yesterday announce the death of Stonewall Jackson on Sunday, p.m., from the effects of his recent amputation and pneumonia. His burial was fixed for to-day. The military band in Fredericksburg have been performing dirges a greater portion of the afternoon.

•••••

From the Richmond Papers.

Headquarters Army Potomac,
May 11, 1862.

Richmond papers of Saturday have been received. There is little in their editorials except favorable comments upon the late battles, the advantages gained thereby to the Confederate cause, and exaggerations of the Federal losses.

The Examiner quotes a rebel surgeon’s report of their losses as amounting to 900 killed, 1,000 wounded and 1,500 prisoners.

The country people around Richmond have discontinued their market visits, in consequence of the belief that their horses will be impressed for military purposes.

The British Consul at Richmond declines to issue any more passes.

A large amount of blockade goods was sold at auction in Richmond on Thursday. The sale included $30,000 worth of ladies’ boots and shoes for summer wear. The sale realized $100,000 in the aggregate.

The Examiner prophesies that the Union army has crossed the Rappahannock for the last time.

A new Confederate flag has been adopted. It was raised in Richmond on Monday.

At a public sale at Augusta, Ga., of Negroes, the prices ranged from $700 to $2,000.

•••••

From the Battlefield at Fredericksburg.

Washington, May 12.–Gentlemen have recently arrived here and proceeded to Rappahannock to recover the bodies of their friends who fell in the recent battles. One of them in a private note received in Washington today, says a communication has been transmitted to Gen. Lee, asking permission to pass inside his lines for that purpose. Although on Sunday night no response had been received from Gen. Lee, it was understood from the officers receiving the communication at the river, that there would be no unnecessary obstacles thrown in the way. Subsequently the enemy commenced sending over the river under a flag of truce considerable numbers of our wounded who have been paroled. For several days past supplies and medicines have been sent over from our side.

A report was current yesterday that the enemy had left their formidable position along the heights, but a close observation last evening disclosed the fact that their numbers there had not been diminished. They were still at that point yesterday morning.

At the time of our re-crossing the river at U. S. Ford, it is believed that only two divisions of the enemy’s forces remained in our front near Chancellorsville as a rear guard. The divisions mentioned were commanded by Gens. Anderson and McLaws. Dr. Webster still remains in the enemy’s lines in care of the wounded. Dr. Luckley, who was captured at Chancellorsville, sends back word that our wounded generally were doing well. Notwithstanding all the reports that our troops have again crossed the Rappahannock, it was not the case up to yesterday (Monday) noon.

Why the Attack on Charleston was not Continued.

It has been evident that something was concealed as to the reason for withdrawing the monitors from in front of Charleston after the first attack. A letter from the Chaplain of the 115th New York regiment, at Hilton Head, written in defence of General Hunter, makes the following explanation, which is in keeping with the general war management at Washington, and not at all improbable:

“Soon after the attack on Fort Sumter had commenced, and when promising favorable results, a dispatch arrived from Washington, ordering a delay in the attack on Charleston, and that three of the monitors be sent to the relief of Admiral Farragut at Vicksburg. This order was sent with the supposition that the attack on Charleston had not been commenced. On the arrival of the order, a council of naval offices was held. Some of them were in favor of continuing the attack, but Admiral Dupont decided in the negative.  He reasoned thus: If I should continue the attack contrary to orders, and should succeed, the government might sustain me. If I should make the attack and lose the monitors, I should lose my head. Who will say that this was not sound reasoning? As soon as it was known at Washington that the attack on Charleston had already commenced, and that it would go out to the country as a failure, another order came for the immediate renewal of the attack.”

•••••

General Stoneman’s Operations.–The Confederacy has never received an insult so mortifying and provoking as that which it suffered yesterday and the day before. The Federal army had reached and taken possession of Spotsylvania Court House. From that point they have not only attempted ad executed the manœuvres suggested as probable in our last issue, but a great deal more. Leaving the body of the army stretching in line from that point to the Rapidan, their cavalry, under Gen. Stoneman, has pressed on to the Central Railroad and cut it at Trevillan’s; then penetrated to the roads between Fredericksburg and Richmond, and cut that too at or near Ashland, and at the moment we write it is believed to be careering unharmed in the open country ten miles from Richmond, in the rear of Lee’s army, having passed his communications with the city and shut off for the moment his source of supply.

That this audacious raid will have any serious effect of the great battle or battles now fighting or fought, in Spotsylvania, is not possible. The trifling damage which these cavalry have done to the railroads can be repaired sooner than it was effected. But the event throws an unpleasant light on the improvidence of those who control the military powers of the country. Its success shows that they are blind to the character of the man now in command of the Federal forces. He is no longer an able, prudent officer, making war according to the established rules of the science, but a reckless gambler, who has nothing to lose, and is ready to play on any chance, however desperate. Such adventures as these are precisely what might have been reasonably expected of him. But further, in the investigating committee of the Federal Congress, Gen. Hooker, while stating what he thought should have been done by Burnside, laid down, in so many words, this identical cavalry campaign, as part of his programme! The Southern Government and General were forewarned, yet would not be forearmed.–Richmond Examiner, May 4.

THURSDAY
MAY 14, 1863
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SENTINEL

The Capture of Grand Gulf.
Official Account.

Flagship Benton, Below Grand Gulf, Miss., April 29.–Hon. Gideon Welles, secretary of the navy: I have the honor to inform you that by an arrangement with General Grant I attacked the batteries at Grand Gulf this morning, which were very formidable. After a fight of five hours ad thirty minutes we silenced the lower batteries, but failed to silence the upper one, which was high and strongly built, had guns of very heavy caliber, and the vessels were unmanageable in the heavy current. It fired but feebly toward the last and the vessels had all laid by and enfiladed it while I went a short distance to communicate with Gen. Grant, who concluded to land the troops and march over to a point two miles below Grand Gulf. I sent the Lafayette back to engage the upper battery, which she did, and drove the persons out of it, as it did not respond after a few fires. At six p.m., we attacked the batteries again, and under cover of the fire all the transports passed by in good condition. The Benton, Tuscumbia and Pittsburg were much cut up, having 24 killed and 56 wounded, but they are all ready for service. We land the army in the morning, on the other side, and march on Vicksburg.

David D. Porter,
Acting Rear Admiral.

Flagship Benton, Grand Gulf, Miss., May 3.–Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy–Sir: I have the honor to report that I got under weigh this morning with the Lafayette, Carondelet, Mound City and Pittsburg, and proceeded up to the forts at Grand Gulf for the purpose of attacking them again, if they had not been abandoned. The enemy had left before we got up, blowing up their ammunition, spiking their large guns, and burying or taking away the lighter ones. The armament consisted of thirteen guns in all. The works are of the most extensive kind and would seem to defy the efforts of a much heavier fleet than the one which silenced tem. The forts were literally torn to pieces by the accuracy of our fire. We had a hard fight for these forts, and it is with great pleasure that I report that the navy now holds the door to Vicksburg.

David D. Porter,
Acting Rear Admiral.

•••••

Capture of Port Gibson.
Official Report.

The following official dispatch was received at Washington, Saturday, from General Grant himself:

Grand Gulf, via Memphis, Tenn., May 7.–To Maj.-Gen. Halleck, general-in-chief: We landed at Boulinsburg, April 30th, and moved immediately on Port Gibson, at 2a.m. on the first, and engaged him all day, entirely routing him, with the loss of many killed and about 500 prisoners, besides the wounded. Our loss is about 100 killed and 500 wounded. The enemy retreated towards Vicksburg, destroying the bridges over the two forks of the Bayou Pierre. These were rebuilt, and the pursuit has continued until the present time. Besides the heavy artillery at this place (Grand Gulf), four field pieces were captured, and some stores, and the enemy were driven to destroy many more.

The country is the most broken and difficult to operate in I ever saw. Our victory has been most complete, and the enemy are thoroughly demoralized. Very respectfully,

U. S. Grant, Maj. Gen. Com’g.

From Gen. Rosecrans’ Department.
Important Orders to Visitors.

The following order is important to ladies proposing to visit the department of the Cumberland, and Gen. Rosencrans desires it thoroughly ventilated in the northern papers:

Headquarters of the Cumberland, Office Provost Marshal, Murfreesboro, May 8.–This being the season for active military operations, the presence of ladies, however desirable under certain circumstances, is not so now. The general commanding directs that no passes be issued to ladies to pass from Louisville to Nashville, Murfreesboro or within the lines of this department, until further orders. Those residing in the North are warned to avoid the trouble and expense of travelling to Louisville, as they will not be admitted within the lines of this department, except in the most urgent cases, an then under passes issued from the department headquarters.

M. Wiles, Major and Provost Marshal

•••••

Union Men in the Rebel Army.–We have never doubted that there are many good Union men at heart in the rebel army–forced into the service. Among the rebel prisoners recently brought to Washington, or rather, among the small number still remaining at Washington a few days ago, 65 took the oath of allegiance, and expressed the desire to be allowed to remain within our lines. Of these 8 hail from North Carolina, 13 from Mississippi, 30 from Louisiana, 9 from Alabama, and 6 from Virginia. It is thought that many more would have followed their example, if it had not been for the ridicule of their comrades. Of those who still remain at the depot, more than one fourth will take the oath.

•••••

Perhaps So.–Gen. Stoughton, who has been held a prisoner at Richmond, has been released with others, exchanged. He brings the report current at the rebel capital, that during the recent attack by our iron-clads upon Fort Sumter, one shell from the Montauk passed completely through the fort–through both walls–and fell in the water on the opposite side. Several very bad breaches were made. The rebels say that if the firing had continued twenty-five minutes longer the fort would have surrendered. The fire from our gunboats and iron-clads was terrific. In the city every preparation had been made for evacuation. Negroes had been sent out, moveables packed up, women and children sent off, and everything made ready for departure.

•••••

General News Summary.

The Baltimore girls persist in waving their handkerchiefs to passing rebel prisoners, and are therefore continually falling into the hands of the military authorities, instead of into the arms of those they sympathize with, which would be much pleasanter.

Thirty secesh courtesans expelled from Memphis have arrived and taken up residence in Chicago. The Journal intimates this as a reason that the city administration has recently become copperhead.

The sale or distribution of the Freeman’s Journal and Caucasian of New York; the Crisis, Columbus, Ohio; Democratic Journal, Jerseyville; Chicago Times and Dubuque Herald, have been prohibited in the military district of St. Louis by Gen. Davidson.

FRIDAY
MAY 15, 1863
THE LIBERATOR (MA)

HOW COLORED SOLDIERS ARE TO BE TREATED.

The following letter from Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts is in reply to questions addressed to him by Mr. Downing, concerning the position of colored troops in respect to pay, equipments, bounty and protection, compared with that of white soldiers:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Executive Department, Boston, March 23, 1863.

George T. Downing, Esq., New York:

Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiries made as to the position of colored men who may be enlisted and mustered into the volunteer service of the United States, I would say that their position, in respect to pay, equipments, bounty, or any aid and protection, when so mustered, will be precisely the same, in every particular, as that of any and all other volunteers.

I desire further to state to you, that when I was in Washington, on one occasion, in an interview with Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War, he stated in the most emphatic manner that he would never consent that free colored men should be accepted into the service to serve as soldiers in the South, until he should be assured that the Government of the United States was prepared to guarantee and defend, to the last dollar and the last man, to these men, all the rights, privileges and immunities that are given, by the laws of civilized warfare, to other soldiers. Their present acceptance and muster-in as soldiers pledges the honor of the nation in the same degree and to the same rights with all other troops. They will be soldiers of the Union–nothing less and nothing different. I believe they will earn for themselves an honorable fame, vindicating their race and redeeming their future from the aspersions of the past.

I am truly yours,

John H. Andrew.

•••••

RETALIATION.

Governor Andrew’s letter on the relative positions of Negro and white volunteers, and referring especially to the protection which will be afforded the blacks, is perfectly satisfactory declaration of his opinion and purpose, but does not seem to be an authoritative announcement in behalf of the Government. We have never doubted that President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton, when deciding to send Negro regiments into the field, would sooner or later see to it that their military rights should be respected by the rebels; that if captured, they should be treated like other prisoners of war. But how will they enforce those rights, and when?

Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation dooming to death or slavery every Negro taken in arms, and every white officer who commands Negro troops. Black privates and white Generals alike are threatened with the halter. The proclamation is still in force, and Murfreesboro and Galveston and twenty other places are witnesses that it is not an idle threat. The rebels have hanged or sold into slavery every Negro soldier or servant whom they have taken. What has this Government done? Nothing.

What must the Government do about it? One of two things. Wait till a regiment of blacks s captured and shot, then hang a regiment of white rebels? That is one course. We do not want to see it become necessary. The other is to proclaim now, in advance of any such catastrophe, that every Negro mustered into the national service is covered by the national flag, and must be treated, if captured, as a prisoner of war, and not otherwise; and that exactly as is done unto our black soldiers when prisoners, will be done to white rebels–if the blacks are hanged, the rebel whites shall be hanged likewise. In other words, announce retaliation as the policy of the Government.->

It will not do to leave this momentous question to the decision of individual Generals. Some may have one opinion, some another, and we shall find ourselves weltering in another chaos of conflicting policies, as we did in the first year of this war, about fugitive slave renditions. General Hunter, and, we believe, General Rosecrans, have issued retaliatory orders; but Jefferson Davis dares to hang and shoot and sell our captured black soldiers and servants, because the Government has never responded to his proclamation; and he will adhere to his savage policy until he hears from Washington a defiance in answer to his own. Nothing will settle the question but the Proclamation or General Order of Abraham Lincoln, Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the United States. Unless that come sin season, we shall find ourselves drifting helplessly into bloody massacres which it is still possible to avert.–N. Y. Tribune.

•••••

The Steel Bayou expedition came upon, on Deer Creek, the celebrated “Shelby Plantation,” in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Mrs. Stowe little thought, when she wrote her novel, that the Shelby Plantation would one day echo with cannon and musketry in a war grown out of the institution she wrote to abolish. Yet it so happened a few days ago.

•••••

DEATH OF STONEWALL JACKSON.

The Richmond Enquirer of the 7th as the following:

“On Sunday morning, shortly after midnight, the hostile armies occupying lines directly parallel with the plank road leading from Fredericksburg to Orange Court House, the enemy advanced and delivered battle. At this critical juncture Gen. Jackson received his wound.

“Our victory on the Rappahannock has cost us dear in the severe wounds unfortunately received by the great and good General Jackson. His left arm has been amputated above the elbow; a bullet has passed through his right hand. His condition is now, we learn, as favorable as could be expected; and he will doubtless recover, and is not, we trust, lost to active service. We could better spare a brigade or a division. It would be grievous to think that his banner will never more flash out upon the Yankee rear, and throw them at its first gleam into headlong rout, with the sudden outcry, ‘Jackson’s coming!’ that the stern eye of the hero will never more lighten with a warrior’s joy as he launches brigade after brigade upon the stubborn foe, until the hated flag stoops, and the columns reel, and break and fly, with the vengeful Confederate cheer ringing in their ears.

Our base foe will exult in the disaster to Jackson, yet the accursed bullet that brought him down was never molded by a Yankee. Through a cruel mistake, in the confusion, the hero received two balls from some of his own men who would have died for him.”

SATURDAY
MAY 16, 1863
THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN (MA)

Foreign Affairs.

Canada has got its political crisis. Parliament has voted by a five majority that it wants confidence in the ministry; but the latter, instead of resigning, adopts the other English alternative of dissolving parliament, and appealing to the people in a new election. England continues to scold at the Canadians because they demand so much of the home government, and are willing to do nothing in return. The people at home are beginning seriously to inquire what the provinces are all worth to them, and if it is not cheaper and better even to turn them out to shift for themselves.

The indignation of England towards the United States has materially subsided again, and the clouds don’t look so black and warlike as they did. Minister Adams has gratified the pride of our cousins by apologizing for his letter of protection to vessels trading with Mexico; and John Bull graciously forgives him if he will not do so again; so that it is not likely the minister will be recalled, or the cordial relations of the two countries [be] jeopardized further at present. It is said the emperor of the French has not yet got over his huff about the same affair, because the vessel over which Mr. Adams’ protection extended was to carry arms to the Mexicans, but there is nothing very trustworthy in the report. The great topic of thought and speech in England just now is the failure of our iron-clads to take Charleston. Some of the papers call it a great disaster to the North, the greatest yet experienced. But the subject for the most part is considered purely in its scientific bearing, the relative strength of iron ships and stone forts, and the general conclusion is that forts are still of some service. But if the writers on the subject would sift the matter more clearly they might see that the trial was by no means a fair or decisive one, and furnishes very little true data on which to rest a scientific decision. And, as to its being a federal disaster: if we suffer nothing more disastrous, we never need feel despondent.

The Polish question is unchanged in importance or aspect. Several victories in small engagements are reported for the Poles, but this fact seems to bring the struggle no nearer a termination. The correspondents have found out, some way, that when the dispatches from Prussia, England and Austria were read to the Russian prime minister, Prince Gortchakoff, he gave free vent to his feelings of  of anger and resentment. But they made such an impression on the emperor, that he immediately called his family together for consultation. But what the final effect of these remonstrances will be remains yet to be seen. Russia seems to be having bad luck in Circassia as well as Poland, the Russian troops having met with a severe defeat there recently, in which the grand duke Michael barely escaped with his life.

From Mexico we have dates to April 22d, the latest from Puebla a day earlier. From the lying and conflicting reports of both parties, it is hard to extract the grain of truth which must exist, but it is safe to say the French have gained no ground since April came in. The Mexicans have been reinforced, and claim to have gained some important advantages lately; and also say they will be able to drive out the French by mere force of numbers. Both sides hold out well in the siege of Puebla, and it is getting time to look for some important change in the position of affairs.

The Troubles in Central America.–In the midst of such momentous events transpiring at home, we have hardly time or inclination to get up much interest in foreign affairs. Even the Polish insurrection can attract but a passing thought. The war rumors from England and France we forget as soon as we see the next bulletin from our army. And yet in ordinary times such questions as these would attract much thought and discussion. So also would the civil war going on in Central America. The contest at present, on the other hand, is only known to exist; and there are very few who know anything of the merits of the case. The contest is ostensibly between Nicaragua and San Salvador. In the former state Martinez was lately re-elected president by the power of his official patronage. Gen. Jerez was the opposing candidate, and San Salvador is helping him to establish his claims with a fair prospect of success. The other Central American states have also been drawn into the contest. Honduras is arrayed with San Salvador and the rebel Jerez, while Guatemala and Costa Rica will go with Nicaragua. There has not been much fighting as yet, though the prospects were, at our latest advices, the middle of April, that the contest would be desperate.

But the really great question at issue is not whether Martinez or Jerez shall be president of Nicaragua. It is the question of the consolidation of all the Central American states. Martinez is against such a union, Jerez for it, and the powers arrayed with them are known by the same disposition. San Salvador and Honduras are in favor of union, with Guatemala and Costa Rica against. The president of San Salvador, General Barrios, is the warmest advocate of this union, and this is why he has taken up arms in favor of Jerez for president of Nicaragua. The true friends of Central America will be glad to learn that the union party seems likely to triumph. This section of our continent has long been cut up into petty states and desolated by civil wars. In union seems to be the only hope for a better state of things, and if this can be brought about, the growth and prosperity of Central America will be rapid and sure. All Americans who go there are loud in praise of climate, and A. B. Dickinson, who goes back for the second time as the American minister, is understood to design to fix his permanent residence there. If the country could be under a stable and efficient government, there would be a large and immediate emigration. Particularly at this time, the resources of the country would excite attention, for it I a good cotton-growing country, and the soil is also well adapted to the production of all the southern staples, which are now in short supply on account of the war with the South. When these intestine troubles are settled, we do not know of a better field for emigration, or when Yankee pluck and shrewdness would pay better.

1 See here for a description of this disease of the central nervous system, and why it is named after St. Vitus.

2 ex parte is a legal term, being Latin for “on one side only,” meaning “done by, for, or on the application of one party alone.”  In this instance it means the British government would seize a suspected ship on the complaint of only one person.